Thank you. We want to call this city council meeting to order. Today, Monday, March the 9th, uh, 2026. We ask you stand for the invocation. We'll follow the pledge of allegiance. Heavenly Father, we love you today. We thank you for your love toward us,
toward the city, toward the people here. And Lord, we just ask for your help, your grace, your leadership in everything that we do, Lord, for the betterment of the individuals, of their families, of their business, everything that pertains to the city. Father, we need your grace, Lord, to to to make it
happen. So, we thank you for that. We ask this all in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. >> Amen. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Alrighty. We're going to start off with a uh recognition. We'll go to our city manager for that. >> Thank you, mayor. um council uh last
June um you all agreed to create the standalone utilities department and at that time we talked about why we were doing that and the importance of it and what we expect that department to do and and you know be a standard for the city and how we move forward and so um you we said we wanted to win awards. We think
we could be one of the best utilities in the state and we still believe that and I think we're working toward that goal. And so last uh you could be surprised last week when I got a phone call from D and they told me it was good news rather than bad news. So uh I listened and uh
they told us we had won the 2025 water plant operations excellence award uh that we had submitted for. And uh so we want to recognize staff um for their work and everything they've done out there for the water system. Uh what this council has done to support staff and support uh putting money into that
system uh for us to do that and to provide a great service to the citizens. So, just want to recognize staff, have them come up and uh show appreciation for their hard work and winning this award for the city. >> So, if Kyle and his crew and Randall and
any of his crew members to come on up HERE >> WELL, I was just letting y'all come on. All right. Come on. Congratulations. >> Hello me. All right. Thank you. Thanks.
>> Appreciate you. >> That's a big deal. Yo, D has skinned us a few times. This is really nice. All right. Uh, at this time we would entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. If you want something pulled off of there, uh, please let me
know at this time. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion second. Any questions, comments? Uh, we are back to Todd. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I. I. >> Eyes carry. Thank you very much. And now
we'll go to the regular agenda. Do is there any deletions or ads, Kobe? >> Uh, no, mayor. Okay. >> Motion to approve. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Have a motion to approve and a second. Any questions or comments? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I.
>> I. >> I. >> Eyes carry. Thank you very much. All right, Kobe. We'll go ahead with you on 4C1. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh Jesse, Mr. Gary is on the Zoom link. >> Okay. I think uh Mike's coming up.
>> Michael. Okay. while he's doing that council. Uh Gary is uh the part of something consulting. He's our main contact for this uh recruitment. So here Michael will call him in. Um during that over the last few weeks, you know, they
went through they had applicants, they did preliminary interviews and then sent back to the council >> documents. Enter your meeting ID followed by Enter your participant ID followed by pound otherwise just press pound to
continue. Please enter the meeting passcode followed by pound. You are in the meeting now. There are two participants in the meeting. >> You have been added to the waiting room.
You cannot. >> All right. Way to go. Okay. >> Gary, can you hear us? >> I can hear. Can you hear me? >> Yes. So, uh, council, uh, like I said, we we received those that information um about
those applicants. Then Gary conducted the preliminary interviews um with the three recommended for those preliminary interviews. Um they have since then provided back um those those recorded interviews for you all to review, look at the qualifications, pros and cons
that they feel of each applicant. And so got Mr. I've got Gary here. We've both felt it prudent to do this over Zoom rather than have him travel down here have permium cost to the city. We'll save that for final interviews when that time comes. Um so ultimately there are three applicants that they feel would be
worthy of a final interview if this council felt that way as well. Uh Xavier Mason, Carlos Amir, and Adam Thompson. Um so I will let Mr. Gary um say anything he has on this and then the council has questions or what we would
like to do moving forward. >> Um good evening. How are you tonight? >> Good. Um, as as Kobe said, I sent you um three candidates I felt
um could do the job. Um you had Xavier Manson, Dom Mason, um you had Kimir uh Kurlo Amir and you had Adam Thompson. out of the three uh I spoke with them all and um there was also Eliza Salonga
but after speaking with her and talking to her extensively about our background I am confident she would not be able to step in and do the work there. So, um, if I
in talking about the three candidates, Adam Thompson is the only candidate with Florida experience. He's currently in Port Richie. He's currently the finance officer there. He also had some experience as a a city manager. So, he's
had Florida experience. Um, he likes being a finance officer. That's what he enjoys doing. That's what he's doing now. He has a master's degree in public administration. And if you looked at his resume, you would have noticed that there was a gap in the resume. He became an EMT, which allowed him the time off
to get his master's degree and then he went back to work um on the municipal side. Xavier has a master's degree, I believe, an MBA from Oxford in England. He's currently working in Black Diamond, Washington. He's worked as a finance
officer in the state of Alaska. He's work he's working out as a finance officer in the state of Washington currently. He's a very intelligent man. Um I also think he's a good candidate. He has government experience but he does
not have Florida experience. But in speaking with him, um I would be confident that over a short period of time, um given him six months in, he he'd learn everything he needs to learn and
he'd want to expand those horizons even more. And that's the same with Adam. Adam would like to go, he hasn't gone through the uh courses from the Florida Financial Officers Association to get a certification yet, but he wants to pursue that as well. but he's actively
doing budgets um overseeing utilities. He does all aspects of the finance officer's job. Hilo Samir on the other hand, he has a master's degree in accounting which is great. He has government
experience and he also has private sector experience. His government experience is all on the federal level. So, it has no municipal experience whatsoever, but he does have an accounting background. Um, is it can he learn? Yes, he'd like to
relocate to Florida. He's currently working in Virginia. He has family in Florida and he'd like to be there. I I leave it to you to as you view the c candidates backgrounds to see who you rank one, two, and three.
Um, I ranked them the way I felt it was appropriate. Uh, I believe I had initially I had Xavier up top number one. Adam Adam should be number two and Kirlo should be number three. I think
I think Adam and Xavier could be interchangeable. I think the only edge that Adam has currently is his Florida experience. And looking at at the Funny Egg Springs, that may be something you would like to take advantage of.
So, I'm open to any questions. >> Questions? >> Yes. >> Um, I'm sorry. What was the fellow's name? >> Gary. >> My name is Gary. >> Oh, Gary. Hi, my name's Amy Heavlin.
And, um, I would like to know, um, first of all, uh, how much experience did Adam have in Florida? Well, looking back at this, he has a few years of experience in Florida, but it's it's been in different places now. It's been as a city administrator. It's also
been as a finance officer. >> How what's a >> go ahead >> go ahead. >> My concern is for example our our existing city manager, you know, I was very hesitant. We have protocol and
policies in place and a minimum qualifications and my concern is that none of these candidates even meet the minimum qualifications that we had for this positions. Am I wrong? >> Yeah, I think Adam is the closest >> and he >> quite frankly he's the only one with any
experience in Florida. >> And and and it was funny because I know when Mr. Townson was brought up for the city manager's job. I didn't want to even nominate him. He came to see me and I said, "Kobe, until you meet the minimum qualifications, I can't support
the I couldn't support it." But as soon as he did, you know, I was the first one to bring his name to the podium. But that's that's my problem with the candidates that you brought to us today is they don't even meet the minimum qualifications. And unfortunately, this is a complex
>> we we've got a complex city that we run and the financials that they have to produce. And to me, that's not a learning ground. >> But I'll let my other colleagues speak. >> Yeah.
>> Anyone else? >> Mr. Mayor, if you could ask him to kind of expound on Xavier um his experience with staff management and as well as Adam. >> Did you hear that, Gary?
>> Okay. Yeah. Let me let me get I'll pull up their resumes in front of me. I'll do that right now. All right. Let's start with um Xavier. Okay, Xavier Mason is currently, as I've said, he's the the finance director in
the city of Black Diamond, Washington. He's been there since July of 2023, and he's currently actively in that position. Prior to that, he was in Bethl, Alaska as the um the deputy finance director from February of 2021
to June of 2023. Um, prior to that he was in the private sector with a nonprofit and uh in both Anchorage and in Nigeria and then he was working for Dan Sullivan
um as a staff assistant both in Washington DC and Anchorage Alaska, capital of Alaska. uh his background, he's got a bachelor's degree in management and marking market marketing from um
University of uh Alaska. Uh he also has a master's degree in business administration from University of Oxford in Oxford um in the United Kingdom. That's basically his background. Um
you know, I can go through the bullet points with you. Well, now >> he directs all the finance operations and every financial matter for the city. Um, he works obviously works with stakeholders. Uh, manages the city finance department, accounts payable,
accounts receivable, uh, payroll, utility billing, general ledger, contracts. Um, he's developed policies for the finance department there. Um, he's worked with six investment. Um, so >> that's fine. M,
>> Mr. Mayor, will will you have him expound on in particular their staff management? In other words, Xavier, he has a comment about experience and staff management. What does he mean by that? And then what did he infer from Adam's capabilities when it comes to staff
management? >> Did you hear that, Gary? >> What does he infer from staff management? He basically he manages all of the financial staff for the city of um Black Diamond, Washington. >> How many is that?
>> He is the director of finance for the city and those who work in the finance department work directly under him to include the utilities department. >> Do you know how many staff members he directly supervises in that role, please? >> Four. Uh >> not off the top of my head, I don't.
>> Four. >> Four. >> Okay. What about What about Adam? >> What about Adam? >> Can you Can Do you know about Adam? >> Yeah, I'll go back to Adam. Let's Let me
Let me uh Let's pull Adam's resume here. >> In particular, Mr. Mayor, I'm I'm not necessarily interested in what's on his resume. I'm interested in what he inferred from his management capabilities when when Mr. Gary did the interview. That's That's what I'm interested in. Yeah. Yeah. He's he's
more about what is he what has he shared with you about his management skills experience >> with people? >> Yeah. >> Again, he he shared with me that he is the director of finance for the city of Black Diamond, Washington. That he
oversees the whole operation. >> I was thinking >> um and he manages the whole operation. >> I think that's the wrong person. I think Mr. Beerbomb's asking you about Adam. I thought you said that was Port Richie. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought we were still talking about Xavier.
>> All right. Let me let me pull up. All right. Hold on. There's Adam right here. All right. again in in looking at his resume and what he inferred in our conversation.
Adam's the director of finance for the city of Port Richie. He's he's only been in that position since August of 2024, which is essentially uh one one and um oneird years in the position. Well, almost a year well
almost about a year and a half now. He leads all financial planning. He's in charge of much like um Xavier. He's in charge of the finance department. He does the budget. He manages um everything there. He's in
charge of the internal controls. He's the compliance officer. He he he uh he has a good idea of Gatsby. We talked about Gazsby. I wanted to make sure he understood all the Gazsby rules. And I talked to him about specifically because of his position. And I talked to
him about the trim. Um, does he know the trim? And he's worked with the trim. He understands that. Um, he understands um, and in Florida speak, which is that what that's what we talked about. He understands that the whole idea of when
you when you advertise the budget, you know, you can't you can you can't go above the the maximum amount you advertise. understands when you put the trim notice in the paper and you have a millage rate that's higher than the trim notice, it comes out in the paper that you're raising the uh you're
raising taxes. He understands all of that. He he uh spent some time uh short period of time about uh a year and two months as a city manager in Bowling Green, Florida. That was back in the early 20s in 2021 and 22.
He then moved on. He was city manager for uh interim city manager. He took an interim job for a very short about one year in um Missouri and um he also took a a finance officer's job after that for about a
year in um in Missouri as well St. Lewis jobs court. But but again, we talked about what he does, what he understands, and basically in Port Richie, he oversees the finance. He is director of finance
and he oversees the finance department. That's his responsibility. He makes the hiring recommendations. He he makes the recommendations as to when somebody should be leaving the department. Doesn't have a is not catching on. We talked about that
specifically. Um his theory is if somebody comes in and can't do the job, what he'll try to do is if he can find them another position in finance where they're not doing uh the technical work that they were hired
to do and he'll try to bring them in and teach them to get them up to that level. But that's where he is. That's what he does right now. He oversees the audit. He works with the auditor. He does the financial reports, uh the annual financial statement. He works with that. So, and he's also overseeing the IT
system and uh the accounting staff. He also works with the utility department as well. So, that's what Adam does and he does it in the state of Florida, but he does not have a certification from the Florida Government Finance Officers Association as of yet, but he's willing
to move in that direction. Again, we have a limited pool here. I picked from the best resumes that I felt could do the job. A lot of the people that we looked at, quite frankly, were not
qualified to even be considered. I did have a CPA, but she was the candidate who chose not to get back to us after we rescheduled her and one other candidate who accepted a position in another community. So, that's where we are. Our options are to look at these
candidates, see if you want to move forward or we can look at revertising. I can talk to Warren and we'll go from there. >> I'm just curious what qualifications are we missing, Councilwoman? Um, that stand out to you
>> first thing because it's not a breeding ground for learning unfortunately. I mean, look at Danielle and I what I would like is for her to have some assistance. Right now, she's, you know, she's pulling a lot. I'm kind of curious about this, Adam. Um,
what is the size of Port Richie's budget, Gary? >> 28 million. >> I I have not seen I can find that information and get it to you, but >> it's 28 million. >> Yeah. Where's Richie? Port Richie is is close.
>> It wasn't discussed. Um, we talked about the budget, but I >> I don't recall what the the amount of his budget is right now. Hold on, I can find that for you. Right. >> Well, uh, somebody on the dis already knew, so we we've got the answer. I just
I'm curious. Uh, is this Adam, was he able to fill in in the absence of his staff on the technical pieces and parts that might be missing? Because that's what Danielle does. Danielle, you know, when somebody goes out on maternity leave, she can sit and she can do whichever
>> and she can guide somebody if >> we we talked about that and Daniel's familiar with doing everything in the finance department. So, I don't think there's a problem with him filling in if he had to do accounts payable, if he had to do accounts receivable, be, you know, sit in on payroll. >> How how how would he handle like if he
had to do payroll or, you know, we have somebody out in maternity leave and, you know, you're you're short staffed. How do you how does he juggle his priorities on what >> you watch his >> I would hope he does what everybody and
and and a good municipal employee does. He jumps in and he and he fills in where he has to fill in the best he can while he's doing his job as well. >> Understood. >> I mean that's what I would expect of him if I were hiring as my finance officer.
And you know the trim and but the trim >> I've had three of them in Florida. So >> any other questions? >> I just I've got a few comments. Um as far as the choices that were there, Adam's the only one when I looked at
them that I was intrigued about and would like to speak to him again. Um, naturally, just like everything else, I I would want to make sure we bet a thorough background and be sure what we're getting if if we were to to look at him. A few things I would like for us
to notice is how long we have been without a full-time finance director. And at this point, Kobe's filling that role. If Kobe winds up something to happen to Kobe or he were to leave, we would be without a city manager and a
finance director. If Danielle gets to the point to where she no longer wants to fill the role, we've got a big gaping hole there at that time. So if if the pipeline is truly limited and for how long have we been advertising this position, I think we owe it
>> position stays advertised the whole time. Yeah, >> I I think we owe it to him at least. >> We leave it there. And might I suggest this? Rather than bring him in for an interview, why don't basically like we're doing now, why don't you bring him
in for a Zoom interview for the purpose of preliminary interview, not not as a final candidate, but just as a consideration. If you don't like what you hear, then then he's not a candidate. If you
like what you hear, then you can essentially bring him in as the candidate of choice and do a more comprehensive interview if you'd like or move forward with him. But at least talk to him to make sure
that that you get a feeling for him. I get a feeling for him when I talk to him, but I'm not the hiring body. That's the job of council. There's a charter, I'm sure. Um, you have to be comfortable with them. >> Clay, is there a problem with doing that
without performing the same process for the other two candidates that he's recommended? >> Well, I think you got a side. >> You're not obligated to the other two candidates. You're obligated to fill the position. If you feel it's appropriate, it's appropriate. You know, you can always do it with the other candidates
if you feel that's what you want to do after you talk to Adam. >> I think you'd be better off council and my advice would be to select who you want to interview and either interview them or don't. But if you're going to interview one, I think you're putting yourself into a difficult position if
you then want to go back and interview a second one later. That's just how this always works out because once you interview them, you're going to know things about them you don't know right now. And that's where you start subjecting yourself potential claims once they're all before you
interview them or not. I would say I I would say right now I mean obviously we don't have a matrix prepared as part of this that gives you the meets minimums or not. But in my review of these we updated our finance director
ordinance to be very clear about what our requirements were. Um, and you have to have four years local government managerial finance experience or eight years experience in local government accounting, public finance or business administration while four years
experience as the chief financial officer, etc. Um, I'm not sure any of these people met those qualifications. So, I mean, that's your ordinance. So I guess my question to the council is you have the ability to use or similar related work
experience in substitution for a bachelors. You've left that in with the higher experience, but the way I look at what you did and maybe this is not the council's intention, but I'm just telling you how I read the ordinance that you directed me to write and the way I wrote it was that the experience was now the
mandatory element. Before it was a give or take. you could trade the two off and that's what caused consternation in the past. I'm seeing now that there is a mandatory requirement for experience based on the 2025 ordinance revision. If they don't meet it, you can interview whoever you
want, but they're not going to comply with the ordinance unless you go change your ordinance again. That that's my concern is these folks don't meet the minimum qualification, you know, and and we found out we did try somebody that did meet it a while
back and it didn't work out for us. But I'm just kind of of the opinion that what's worse going without or maybe we need to work with our auditors too and maybe get us some kind of contract where they can step in as the finance director for us or have a staff member or but
just to go out and blindly try to train somebody that has no experience. This is complex. We've got issues that we really need to resolve. We've got, you know, some really unique projects going on. I just I'll have a hard time supporting somebody that doesn't have number one that doesn't even meet the minimum
qualifications. But uh >> mayor, may I ask the consultant a question? >> Certainly. >> Sir, can you hear me? Okay, >> hear you now. >> Okay. Is there a reason based on the advertisement we've put out that you can offer to the council in your experience
and guidance of why we may not be seeing someone with these greater amounts of local government experience that we have as a minimum requirement? Is it a salary range? Is it a package of compensation benefits? Is there something we're
missing that would make us competitive for what our minimum requirement is? This is this is what we've experienced um with other positions. This is not the only position I'm doing that what we're
asking for is I don't think the salary is unusually low for this position. It's pro it's about 109 110,000 a year. Um you're asking for somebody to come in and take this position. Yeah, other finance directors um depending on where they are
in the state of Florida, you know, would garner more, but you're working from south to north. The as you start south, it's going to be higher. The further north you get, it's going to be lower. I mean, that's just the way Florida is. Um,
but no, I it's just it it's not only are you asking for somebody to accept a position, the people who are applying for this are going to have to pick up and and move to um the panhandle quite frankly.
And that in itself is a chore. And we've found in um the last year and a half or so that's become an a stumbling block for getting the the amount or the quality of candidate or the amount of
candidates we'd like to have to fill certain positions. >> Mayor, >> now again I I like I said can always move to readvertise this. We can try again. My concern is is that uh he's
currently overseeing a $28 million a year budget, which is approximately half of our $50 million budget uh right here in the Finac Springs. Um I have a problem with lowering the bar and um I
agreed that this is not a learning ground. Uh, and from what I heard of all of his background jobs, it kind of came across as job hopping. So, I would be comfortable with
going back to the drawing board. Are y'all comfortable with me making a motion? That's the count to your discretion. I'd like to make a motion that we continue the search. >> Second. >> Does that reject all these applicants?
>> Yes. >> Yes, sir. >> Gary, are you clear with that? >> Gary, you heard the motion? Second. >> Did they reject all the applicants and then we're going to look for a new pool of applicants. >> Yeah. Let's get a vote here and we'll see. But
>> can you ask? >> Go ahead. >> Has there been anybody else that has applied since he said it's still open? Has anybody applied since? Okay. >> No. >> Where is he advertising? >> It advertises on LinkedIn. Advertises on in Florida
um FCCMA newsletter. Um I believe we did on Florida League of Cities. I'll have to double check. I can give you a whole list. I can send those to Kobe as well. >> Okay. and we leave it out there as long as we can. So, we also send out emails
to a list of final officers. We have an email list of fine officers, finance officers. It goes out to all of them as well. So, yeah, it it's it's widespread. I mean, our advertising seems it's it's I I'll not say it's the advertising. We
just did Sarasota for the city manager job in Sarasota. We got almost 120 applicants with our advertising. Um, we only got 22 here. So, >> any other questions?
>> I'd like to ask him a question. >> Go ahead. >> Do our requirements, our minimum requirements, um, are we pretty much on par with the rest of the cities? Uh, for a city our size, >> what what what's your budget there? 50
>> 50 million >> 50 million >> plus or minus >> Yeah. 61 >> I >> 51 >> 61 >> 61 Wow. >> I Yeah, I I I'm I'm torn between that.
Quite frankly, I believe if you set minimum requirements, and this is just me speaking from my own experience, um I think it's important you were you you thought enough to set
the minimum requirements, then perhaps it's important for you to uh to stick with them. I will tell you over the last 11 years of working in Florida, I hired three finance officers. Um
well, actually I fired one and hired two. One retired, she had great experience. The second one was a CPA. He just left the job. He did it. he did a a good job as well. So I I I think financial experience and the
ability to learn is key. And I when I say financial experience, I mean serious financial experience in all matters pertaining to budgeting and running uh running a city or running a
business for that matter. That's that's how important the job is. Any other questions before we vote? All in favor say I. >> Public comment. >> We doing public comment.
>> Uh we can technically when the council just choosing to go back out, you don't have to, but it's your business. That's the ministerial duty of council. >> We give you a real quick opportunity if somebody wants to comment on this hiring process.
All right, I'll close the floor for comments. >> Quick quick question, mayor. Yes, >> how long do we look to go out and or or are we looking for x number of candidates before we cut it off? >> I think at least 30 days.
>> That's a that's a really good question because uh if he gets somebody tomorrow, I don't want to wait 30 days. I mean, if he can if you find a diamond in >> I'll send you the resumes as they come in, I can do that. That's that's not an issue. I won't go through the whole
process then of of ranking the resumes. Every resume I get, I will send to you. Uh I'll look at them as well. But I if I waited for all of them and then graded them, it be it'd be 30 days. If we do them one at a time, we could take a look at them. If they have the requirements,
we forward them on and take a look at them, see if you're happy with them, >> and then you take the resumes you feel are most appropriate. >> Personally, I feel like we you should >> I've done that before which cities chose to go that direction. >> What we're going to run into is you don't meet once every two weeks. So, by
the time we bring you one and then you set interview, we're already we're already at the 30-day mark. So, I feel like we're going to just continuously I mean, I feel like it needs we need to set a number of days and let that run because that's going to be the issue. Even I can forward them to y'all when he forms them to me individually. You can't do anything about it individually. We got to come together as a whole. You got
to talk about it. Um I just don't know we're going to get do a very good job piece one by one as they come in. That's a personal thing. >> What do you recommend? >> I reckon we set a number of days. I think it was Gary's recommendation is 30. Let's do 30. And then like I said, if we have some come in that they feel is right there where we need to be, then
we bring those forward sooner. But I think we need to let it run its course. >> Should I include that in my motion, Mayor? I think that's within Kobe's discretion. The only thing I would possibly add to that, Mr. Townson, is the consideration that why don't we bring back whatever we
get into a council meeting every 30 days. >> Yeah. >> And if he has one dynamic applicant, you know, then he can always bring it to you earlier, but at least every 30 days bring you an update on where we are. We can call the list or we can set
interviews, but that way you know where you're going. So get an updown on what we've got. Because I don't know if we would have waited I don't know that this group here would have warranted waiting 30 to 60 days if we'd have seen them. They didn't meet qualifications. They could have
been called when they came in. So let's bring them in as they come and at least every 30 days have give you an update. >> I guess your motion is just to reject those and then >> go back out. >> So be it. Can can can he in the future also only bring us qualified people
because I'm gonna have the same problem every time. >> That's a that's a deal. >> How Leon Countyy's they're searching. So sir, do how do we get like maybe some of theirs, you know, after they choose somebody if they had a pool of 50, how
do we get those people that might be interested in us? >> Manager. >> Yeah, I mean I could reach out to the city manager, Mr. Good. But I mean, >> well, county. I think it's Leon, right? >> It's Leon. >> Oh, yeah. County. Oh, not the city. >> Yeah. I can get with Gary and let Yeah, we we can we can do that.
>> You just reach out and ask for a public records request to get them all. They'll give us to them. >> We've done We've done it with someone else before. We've called another city and ask them. >> So, can I just I have some knowledge. I'll just give it to you and then you can do your magic or how do you want to do that? >> I mean, I think that's what Yeah, that's what he's here for. So, I think he heard
us now to maybe reach out and >> Yeah, >> that's perfect because I'm sure there's other folks that are >> All right, let's let's finish this vote and then we can tell Gary what we're going to do. All right, all in favor say I. >> I >> I >> I
>> I carry. All right, Gary, it's gonna go back out. uh you can coordinate with uh Kobe >> and looks like it's going to be every 30 days. >> Okay. >> All right. Hopefully we'll we'll start
advertising and we will within 30 days. But what I are we satisfied when I see a candidate that's qualified to get that resume to you ASAP? >> Of course. >> All right, that'll work. And it's my understanding you're going to do a
public records request to Leyon County as well to get a list of the candidates they had that didn't take the position. >> Yep. You and I will discuss. We'll talk about it. I don't think a record request is going to be necessary. >> Can I just I heard him say we'll start advertising. I thought he said that they're constantly.
>> They are. They have to renew certain ones. Certain ones do expire, so they probably have renewed certain ones. They will. >> All right, Gary. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> All right. Okay. So, we're going to go right on down to 4 C2. >> Thank you, mayor. >> Uh number two, allocation of surplus funds from the Walton Phoenix Library Construction Project. Uh council, we talked about this last meeting. Uh we
had a credit to that contract of roughly $43,000. It was a little less than 43,000. I would recommend we round up accounting for pennies and $61 million is aggravating. So I'd say we round up. Um we just need to allocate those funds. Um you know we recently talked about
let's talk about brotherhood. We have 70,000 budgeted for those exterior repairs. Um or we have discussed uh starting to set up a facility maintenance reserve fund um for the Chicago Brotherhood. Any other facility we may have that we may need money for
in the future. repairs are necessary that we didn't budget for or foresee. Um I would say right now um given our difficulty with a contract for the stock building at this moment, I'd say we go ahead and establish it's it's not going to be a bank account. It's going to be an internal a fund uh establish that
facility maintenance reserve fund. Put the money in there and then that that one sets it and two that fund um is one that we would have to come back to the council if we want to pull those dollars out of there either during this budget year or during the budget cycle. uh y'all could allocate those as necessary for projects we that come up. So um we
just need to allocate those monies. My recommendation to you at this time is to create that fund uh and to put the money in there unless anyone else has any other ideas. >> Mr. Mayor, I would like to make a motion um that we allocate and I'll I'll explain a little more once I make the
motion. Um, I would like to make the motion that we allocate $20,000 to go to a grant fund for our little league and athletic league and then the other remaining 23,000 can go into the Hollow Brotherhood fund that Kobe's
recommending. So, if I can get a second, I'll I'll explain a little further on that. >> What was the first 20,000 for? >> The Little League and the Athletic League. The Walton County Athletic League. >> I'll second for discussion. So, thank you. So, my having spent the weekend out
there at opening day and and watching my nephew's game and a couple other friends games, um, having grown up playing ball out there, you know, I'm proud that our little league up here in Deiniac stands on its own two feet and, you know, has has done what they've done out there at
that field. I know that in the past they've looked at um wanting to get a gas connection out there and they were quoted, I believe it was almost $7,000 to run the the pipe out there so they could have gas instead of having to deal with propane bottles. I know that there's a lot of other maintenance out there like they just fixed some of the
netting around the the bleachers and stuff. I also um serve on the board or a board with a board member from the athletic league and they were telling me about how a lot of their equipment is apparently expire expiring all at once and they're going to have to make a very
large purchase of equipment. So, I would like to make a one-time grant to the Walton County Little League or I'm sorry, the DeFenix Springs Little League and a one-time grant to the Athletic League. And with it being a grant, I
would like for them to define how they're going to spend that money and then bring that back to us. But we can allocate those funds now so that if if they present us with a a good reason for how they're going to use those funds, we can move forward with issuing them a one-time grant and then the remaining
23,000 can go to the Hollow Brotherhood as >> one organization or two. >> It's two, the Definiac Little League and the >> So, how would you break that out? >> Uh 10 and 10. >> Okay. And just to clarify, councilman for you the uh the 23,000 you're saying this talk about brotherhood fund. Are
you meaning allocate it to the building or allocate it to the facility maintenance fund that we want to create? >> What whatever your recommendation was >> minus create a facility maintenance fund and then we do that we can pull it out at any time the council has to authorize this. >> Okay. So it would be 23,000 to the maintenance fund for the Hall of
Brotherhood and then 20,000 that gets split down the middle for the the two leagues. >> All right. I have a motion second questions, comments. Go ahead. >> You know, I'm always of the opinion that we need to start building up some
emergency reserves. So, even though that's a great idea, you know, here we are. I'm just I have a hard time giving to outside parties when the inside the house still needs to be financially stable. Um, so I'd like to see all of it just go back into the reserves at the
moment. I don't think it needs to be allocated to something very specific. >> Anyone else? Yeah, >> we've had a lot of discussion on how far behind the power curve we are on infrastructure.
And infrastructure is everything from sidewalks to street lights to uh our 100-year-old claypipe sewer system. uh the affluent line uh upgrades uh on our um water
treatment center to try and match the population that were coming. Um there's there's a lot of things that we need and charity begins at home and I even though your recommendation is admirable,
we've got a lot of problems here in our city that we need to take care of first before we start becoming charitable. So I like your idea, but I think we need to put our city and
our citizens first. Anyone else >> question? What what we budget uh how much do we give the little league every year? Did we stop doing that? Because we did it one time. >> We cut that out in fiscal year 25.
>> 25 and that was 5,000 or so, wasn't it? >> Yeah, it used to I think I think it was a total about 30,000 for a few years and then starting I believe in 2023 or 20 23 got less and then 24 got less and then 25 we cut it out completely. Oh, >> okay.
So, what was the last amount? >> Um, I think in I think in 25 l I don't think it was 20,000 we busted up amongst four or five different applicants. >> I got you. >> I would like to say that uh I'm a member of an organization that has made a generous contribution to the little
league this year and we do it plan on doing this every year. So, this is something that the private sector can fund and I'm part of that. and I'm proud to be a part of that without taking it from the taxpayers. >> Anyone else?
>> So, so I second it for discussion, but I do look back at the time when um it was couple of budget processes before when we actually looked at those grant programs and then we said that it it was my stance at that point. The reason why
I voted the way I did was the fact that I I don't feel that I should take taxpayers money and then give it away whether even if it is private contribution or like the grants program. I think that like what they're saying a lot of that could come from private
organizations. Um I've seen other board meetings where people have come out of the crowds and just written checks um to take care of some of those needs at different times. So, even while I support the ideal, I I think that it's noble. I think that that we do need to
invest in those at times, I have to agree. I just don't know that the money's there right now for those. I I'd love to, but with what we have ahead, not knowing what building is going to cost us in the end, with what we have going downtown, um, and everything else,
I I think that we need to hold off for at the moment. But I do, I mean, I support you and I like the idea. I just don't know that now is the right time for it. So, with that being said, I would draw my second. >> Okay. All right.
>> All right. There's no other second. We will u move on. >> Well, mayor, the still you still need action on the request from Mr. Towns. May not do that. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, that'd be the total amount we'd be looking toward to put in that
>> or to split. >> Yeah. Whether Yeah. whether or something else split it too. My recommendation to you is take the 43,000, put it into and create a facility maintenance reserve fund. >> I I'll make a motion that we just set the money aside and not allocate it to
anything specific. Just set it in reserves and when we need it, we can come back and >> that's what I want to I'm asking to put in a specific facility maintenance reserve fund, not the city's unrestricted fund balance. >> Right. And that's not what I'm asking for. >> Just want to clarify.
Go ahead. >> I'd like to make a substitute motion. Um, city manager is asking for it to go into that account for specific reasons. So, I would like to move in that direction. >> I'll second that motion. >> Well, well, hold on. She never got a second. >> Okay. >> All right. >> You got to let her get a second before
we make a substitute. Keep the top of it. >> Okay. I'd like some clarification. the fund uh the account that you're suggesting this go into. >> Suggesting it stay in reserves. It doesn't go anywhere. It just sits in
reserves until he needs it. What he's doing is saying I want to take it out and and create a create something new. He's going to create something that doesn't exist. >> Correct. I'm If I can clarify, Councilwoman, you can correct me if I'm wrong. Counciloman was referring to our unrestricted fund balance which is which
is the city's overall savings account reserves unrestricted fund balance. What I would like to do is create a specific facility maintenance reserve account and we put money in that. That way we know that money is for facility maintenance whether that be city hall building uh
amphitheater community center you name it and then at that point it can't be taken out just like unrestricted fund balance. It cannot be taken out unless this council directs it. So that's the difference in what we're asking. So you could take this and do do an amphitheater with it. >> Fire department too >> facilities. I'm comfortable. The councilwoman and I are speaking on the
same terms. I'm wanting to do one more specific step. She wishes to put it in in the the bigger pot. >> He he's creating Yeah, he's he's suggesting creating a new account >> that can be used for facility maintenance. So that could be any
building that we any facility that we have. Then yes, >> but if we take your recommendation, we've got to approve where that money goes. >> You got to do it either way. >> You gota you're required either way to move money out of reserve account. We take that from you. You have to give us direction.
>> So either way, I'm fine. If if the council's more comfortable with doing it that way, that's okay. Um I'm looking at ways in which we start to pot money for specific uses that we currently do not do. >> That's up to you. So, are we still waiting to see if there's going to be a second on her motion?
>> Yeah. >> Second. >> Okay. Second. >> All right. >> So, now I'd like to make the substitute motion to follow the city manager's advice and guidance. >> Second. >> All right. Debate a vote. Then you then
you vote on the substitution first and then we vote on whichever motion. >> Yeah. Any questions, comments regards to uh Mr. Conor's motion? anyone? >> I'm I'm I'm good with it going into maintenance. We've been talking about
this for a while and and saving money up. We're we're we're short. We're running short with the Chicago building, getting it finished. Money might be part of the problem. I don't know. Getting more bids or whatever. So, we have to maintain these buildings. um something
happens and we need to pull it, we can still pull it uh for for another purpose. But if we, you know, once you decide to start saving money in your private life, you know, you you have to first start you have to start an account. You have to start you have to start doing it. And and I think this
would might be a good time to do that. So, if I understand this correctly, Mayor, if we put this in this account you're talking about, we can vote to take it out at any time for
say infrastructure, the alleyway, whatever. So, I really don't see the difference in these two if we have to vote for it anyway. >> To put it in to answer your question, in order to
he can't he can't move that money once it's put into that facility maintenance unless we all agree that it's going to come out put back in and used for a different purpose. Okay. The but you know my point is I'm kind of confused because I thought we were budgeting for
building maintenance >> now in our annual budget. So why do we have to have a special reserve? What what is your purpose? do budget in the facility maintenance budget. There's a line item for facility maintenance, right? >> Um specifically for just in general for all city facilities and then we also
have uh specific lines for the community center and the um hall brotherhood. >> So we talk about this year if you go look at the budget you'll see Chicago brotherhood and you'll see community center. You will see that the the dollar amount budgeted in each of those lines
is 90% of the expected revenue from those facility rentals. So we started last year um if you all recall we we created those line items and we said every dollar that we generate from the Chicago brotherhood from Silly Reynolds and from community center we're going to put back into those buildings right I
think I think we talked about you know the roof a few years ago the community center we had to go and find $150,000 because we didn't set no money back for that um and so that's the reason we did that last year we put every dollar well this year we put 90% we let 10% of those fee that revenue offset overtime for
staff overtime cost. Um, and so again, I think councilman and I on both are on some pages six, half a dozen the other way, right? Um, I'm looking at from more specific bear down that this money and this line item is for facility maintenance. Again, if you leave it in the overall unrestricted fund balance,
it's it's 1.5 million or 1.5 million and then 43,000, right? It's just it's seen a different way. Again, if the council's uncomfortable with that, if we don't want to do that, that's fine. That's my recommendation to you. But I understand what the council's coming from. It just goes from being one big pool then you could have number of little ones for
example I'm probably going to bring to you at some point during the budget process the same concept for parks for parks right we talked about my opinion council may disagree and that's okay we find different way when we receive code fines in this city for properties property owners in this city pay fines on the properties greater than what we
budgeted and expected revenue which was $10,000 this year my recommendation to you is maybe moving forward if we can do it is to take if we budgeted 10 but we actually earned money. We put that 10 difference in a parks fund. So, we start having money put aside specifically to fix playground equipment to put in new
pieces, shades, things of that nature. We never had that before, right? So, every year we're having to go and move. Last year, we bought this capital equipment. Well, let's move over and buy this year and next year we'll move it around again. So, that's that's the theory behind it. Again, that's being a lot more granular to it. If we don't want to do that, that's okay. Um, that's
just the way I see it, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes. >> Um, here's part of my concern. So, we have these buildings. For example, here's city hall. Didn't you get a mold remediation uh analysis that says it's going to cost
us 750,000 to repair what's in here? >> Well, the mold So, there was a there was there was mold, there was the roof, there was exterior repair. Uh yeah, it came around 750,000. >> Right. So, you know, we're taking this and we're Are you saying it's going to be set aside for the Shiakwa project for the
>> just for facility maintenance? cuz we also have the firehouse now that needs repairs. So, you know, why don't we designate it to one of those two projects versus, you know, just starting a fund because we're still going to be
short. That's my whole issue with, you know, you you put that 40 in there, but it's going to be gone to, you know, as soon as we make a decision on how are we going to start fixing these problems that currently exist in all of our facilities. So, hypothetically speaking,
I'm an infrastructure guy. Could this money go toward the alleyway, which is infrastructure? >> Ultimately in the day, you all can do whatever you want with any any dollar in this city. I'm to tell you, if you're going to if my recommendation is create a separate fund for facility maintenance, if we're going to pull it
out and use it for a non- facility use, I recommend we don't go down this route. Let's not add an additional account. let's just stick it in unrestricted fund balance and and move forward that way. So again, it it's not to over complicate it. It's not to, you know, direct money where it shouldn't be. It's just to help
us visualize that these dollars are for facility maintenance and we start to compound on that to start building up a fund because right now this this building has one HVAC unit. It needs two. We don't have the money to buy another HVAC unit. It's 80 something thousand or maybe I think it's way more than that now. I think it's hundred
something,000. um we don't have that on hand unless you go and take it out of the unrestricted fund balance. So again, I think we're talking about the same thing. Um I'm just looking at a different way. >> We are talking about the same thing, but it takes a lot of accounting work behind the scenes on to do all of this on paper
and to move the money on paper and to do, you know, but that's here nor there. Okay. >> So, so from audit purposes, if we if we put money in reserves and then we periodically have to pull it out to do maintenance or this or that or the
other, how does that reflect on our audit outcome? Does it affect it at all? >> As long as you're using I mean ultimately had to go through the formal process. Yeah. We here at the city, uh, you all direct when money is pulled out of the reserves and what the uses that is for either during the budget year or
during the budget process. Y'all allocate those dollars. As long as we're doing that, you're not going to have an audit issue. Um, >> that's correct. >> Because they're unrestricted, so they can be used for anything. Restricted dollars are the ones that are a little more got more strings attached to them. That's where you >> But you're restricting these by setting
them into the special account. You're restricting them and it cannot be used for something else unless we go through that whole process. >> Correct. Cool. >> So I I just want to clarify when we talk about infrastructure, we have enterprise funds for infrastructure
in terms of water and sewer and gas. So if we're if we're worried about that infrastructure, then those funds need to pay for that infrastructure, clay pipes, asbesus pipes, whatever the case may be. that those dollars need to stay within
those enterprise funds and pay for th that maintenance. But when we're talking about the general fund where this money is, this this money was already allocated for a facility project. So to me, listening to staff and staff's
recommendations on designating it as a facility fund makes the most sense. I I I'm I'm in full support of taking care of our infrastructure, but we have dedicated funds for that. So I to I don't want to
mix that up. Like to me there there's some clear delineation there. >> Mayor, >> yes. Let's make this let's make this thing very very complicated. Keep going. >> Our enterprise funds water and sewer.
One of the reasons our infrastructure situation is in the way it is is because we are constantly transferring out of there. That means we're shifting funds from water and sewer that should be paying for clay pipes, asbestous pipes, street
lights, sidewalks, alleyway. You know what it's paying for though. We don't want to get into that at night again. >> So pulling it saying that the interf enterprise funds is supposed to pay for that. If we didn't touch the enterprise funds, maybe we could make some headway
on infrastructure, but we keep pulling it out. So that's why we're in the shape we're in. So >> I completely agree. >> Completely agree. >> All right. Any other comments? >> All right. We uh any from the public?
Yes. >> I had no opinion on this until I heard that one word amphitheater. So give me your name. >> Oh, Randy Lightner. L I G HT N R. So just a couple questions to clarify. First of all, if you put it into a facilities maintenance fund, is there
any dollar amount that can be used without a vote? >> No, we we >> No matter what, you would have to come here and vote on it. within a reserve account. We always have the council move that money >> no matter how much you have to. Okay. And the next thing just to be sure since
it's facilities maintenance that's only for existing buildings. Nothing new, right? >> You can't do >> I mean facility maintenance. Yes. But again at the end of the day if we had some facility project came up and council wanted to redirect that they always could. I mean let me understand I spoke the the worst word we could say
here as AM's here at this moment. I'm not here I'm not saying build a new one. I'm saying to maintain the current >> the current one >> to breaks loop roof leaks that type of stuff. Okay. >> We'll deal with the bigger project as council sees fit moving forward. >> Yeah. I just wanted to clarify all that on when I heard that word. Thank you.
>> Anyone else? Yeah, >> Kenan Powell. One thing that I heard about this, they were wanting $7,000 for to run natural gas to their facilities. Did I Did I hear that right? Where where is the little league park? >> It's over there by west of Punia.
>> Okay. Well, we used to have a two. For those of y'all who don't know, I played with the natural gas here for about four years. So, there used to be a 2inch line right there to west of Funiac. I don't think it would cost $7,000 to take a line off of it, a one inch line
over there at 20 something pounds and feed whatever they've got. That's the one thing I would like for you to allow Randall to look into and whatever we could do to get that over there so that we could start making a little money off of that project.
>> I'd like to see y'all work that way. >> As far as giving them 7,000, turn around and give it back to us. I don't know. Is that really necessary? Mhm. >> That's my only comment cuz I when I hear things like that, I I I want to see you
moving that natural gas out there and selling it. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> All right. All in favor say I. >> Which one >> which one are we doing? >> Well, so the substitute motion gets
voted on first. If that passes, then you vote to adopt it or you vote to adopt hers. So this is whether you're going to substitute Councilman Skiner's motion as the primary motion. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Nay. >> I
carry. >> Now we vote on that motion which is to follow the city manager's recommendation. >> Okay. Uh we need a motion or we just go with it. >> You got a vote. So all you've done is substitute that in. Now you have to vote on it. >> Okay. All in favor?
>> Yeah. All in favor? You got to have two votes when you do so. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Nay. >> I. Nay. >> Eyes carry. Thank you very much. All right. Move on. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh, number three, approval to lease the vacant half of the
old airport terminal. Uh, council. Obviously, since we have moved into the new terminal, half of the old one uh is vacant. Half is currently occupied. Uh, and so speak with Mr. Atinson. He recommended that we have the council approve staff to lease that building. And I concur with him on that. So, all
I'm looking for is approval to lease uh the remaining or release the entire old terminal building. >> So, move. >> Second. >> Second. Comments. Go ahead. >> And councilwoman, if I'm real quick, but I'm sorry. There's no attachment to this. I think there was maybe an issue
agenda item, but there's no leases or anything associated with the item. It was simply my request today. So, just make sure that >> authorizing does to proceed with the negotiation and bring you such a lease document back. >> Go ahead. What uh what repairs are needed out there before anybody can even
lease it? >> Um I don't I don't believe we well it's not attached, but uh we did have a um inspection conducted on the building uh completed and so there are some items in there that need to be um done from facility maintenance standpoint. So we'll have to address those either do it
or when the lease takes over. >> Uhuh. How much were the repairs? >> We have not received a quote yet on what they would cost to repair the building. When when are we expecting that? >> Well, if we get approval to lease the whole building, then I we can get one before we enter into with whoever may lease it to understand the cost again
because it may be us take the bear bear that cost or we may be able to share that cost with the lease. >> How much revenue can we generate? >> We will have a similar rate fee to what is currently in the building now. >> So, what it could I don't know what it is. >> Uh I have I want to think it's around
$1,000 a month. >> That's it. >> For for half of that building, which is not very big. Yes. >> Do you have any customers wanting this? >> So the current the current part half of the building that is um leased is with
air methods. The um the company that performs lifelight for sheriff's office. Um so they do lease half of the building. Now obviously they've been very interested since they've been in that building to lease the remaining half of the building as well. Um but again we don't have anyone else on the whole right now. That could change,
right? leases at the airport are first come first serve have always have been. Um so we would treat this the same. >> Do they have uh does Air Methods have a hanger that they rent to separate from that space? >> Yeah, that's okay. That's what I thought. >> Okay.
>> And and they pay already $1,000 a month to us for the one side. >> I'll get I'll have to get the exact number. I apologize. But yeah, they do already pay for that half of the building. Yes. >> And they've been in there for a while, right? >> Oh, yeah. uh 20 I don't know I think it was I think it's been 23 maybe
>> I was going to say before me and I was at least 23 okay >> anyone else uh anyone from the public all in favor say I >> I >> I
carry Thank you very much you not >> all right we will move to C for >> Thank you, mayor. Uh council, a few months back, you all allocated $30,000 to a fence for Florence Park. Uh staff,
Pork staff went and got quotes for this park. Um you will see in there the three quotes and the rendering of not only the fence type, but also of how it will be laid out at the park. And so staff recommendation to you is to move forward
with um How is Welding LLC uh in the amount of $30,000 for that fence park. And I will say I spoke to Mr. Anderson this afternoon after some questions and uh the all these quotes are similar in how this fence would be installed and material provided.
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. All right, we have a motion second. Uh questions, comments? >> Go ahead. How how much was it? >> 30,000. >> 30. >> Do you have somebody
a recommendation? >> You did. >> Yes, sir. That's what um >> Anderson >> How's Welding LLC in the amount of $30,000? What about material as far as gauge of um metal, steel, um the finish? If it's
if it's painted, it's going to be rusted. If you powder coat it, it won't. And I'm wondering if all of the applicants uh the people who were applying for this bid, um are they putting the post in
concrete? Are they? >> And I remember Glenn mentioned one time for ease of maintenance is to have a concrete border or some type of faximile. Um did all of them provide this? >> So we did not ask them for the material
under the fence. Um because we were going to look at rather than a concrete underneath which would be rather expensive. Uh we're going to look at some material metal material they make now to go under fences. These quotes do not encompass that. We were hoping we would get that amount. Uh but Mr. Anderson going through the quotes, he
asked these uh businesses to provide us a much higher gauge fence which will last longer. Um and it is 5T tall. So the fence came a little more expensive because we wanted a better quality material. Um and so we don't we'll have to look as we go through the year um through the parks and grounds budget to see if we have any fundings remaining to
be able to do that under defense. If not, we'll have to either weed it or spray it. >> So the other people who were applying for this bid had inferior material. No one will say they have fair material because they asked for the same. They just this is of the three quotes and we me clarify too. There's not there was no
bids and they didn't apply for it. Under our policy $35,000 and less between 20 and 35 require three quotes and the council's approval. So we reached out and got three quotes as required. Um we are not required to go with the lowest bid. Um, but of the three quotes, the
lowest one was $29,67829 and the highest one was 30,000 even. So, we're within uh a $300 range on the cost between the three quotes. >> So, what pushed this one over the top? This company will weld them together rather than screw them together.
>> But the gauge of the steel is the same, the quality, um, everything else is the same. >> The aluminum, I believe, right there. >> No, these are So, the first Yes. Custom aluminum. Yes. The gauge of this particular one is 2x one by 100 gauge
channel, 2x two by 100 gauge post, and 3/4 by 3/4 by 095 picket. >> Steel or aluminum? aluminum fencing, thicker gauge, it's power coated. I mean, again, we're within $300. We're getting the same same material and same
install within a $300 difference between three quotes, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes, go ahead. >> I also share some of Councilman Cosen's concerns. My my understanding is one of the the vendors is providing a panel
that it has a 30-year guarantee versus the one that's hand built. I don't know what kind of guarantee there is on it. I do just looking at the the actual quotes there is a discrepancy between the size of the posts. Um so I
>> So which one had the which one are you talking about? the Northwest Florida fence quote. From what I understand, they're ordering a panel that is guaranteed by the manufacturer for 30 years. >> Is that Eli?
>> Yeah, >> it is. >> Yeah. >> I like that. >> And the one recommended they will provide warranty on labor material. Again, I don't know. I'm here with Council Me
Bomb. Um, they didn't none of them provided that on their quote. So, I I did not know and Mr. Rans I don't believe Mr. Anderson knew about the warranty prior to either. So, they didn't provide that in their quotes if I'm seeing that correctly. >> So, we've got one of the vendors providing a 30-year guarantee and the
others >> that that is not part of the quote what Mr. Townson's saying. I'm not saying they're not. I'm just saying that's not part of the quot from >> you want us to go back and get warranty information. We can bring this back up. You committee. >> Mr. Marath withdraw my motion and and
direct step to bring that back. >> All right, withdrawn. Second. >> Um, everybody comfortable with him getting you the warranty information coming back. >> Well, if we've got that warranty information now,
>> we don't packet. I can't I can't let you consider something that's not in your packet because that's not binding on the proposal. >> Gotcha. So, we'll bring it back. >> All right. Thank you. >> Good enough. All right. We'll go down to
five, which is the offer for the armory and surrounding city- owned property. >> Um Kobe, you got anything to say? >> Thank you, mayor. I was just like we talked about earlier, um council, there's two offers we received last week on the Armory and surrounding city on
property there off of Highway 83. Um I have not had contact with the two proposers. Um, so, um, that's that's about all I have on this side. So, I believe the mayor, Mr. Hackinson, may have some additional information. >> Yeah. Now, I'm certainly familiar with
their offers. Um, probably the easiest thing for me to do is to Will you bring that drawing up that has all four properties on it? All right, get in your way here. Okay, so we have
the army right here, the vacant lot right above it. And then at the very top is a little bitty 22 acres behind this business. And then the fourth lot
is a 1.6 or 7 acres that is on the very west side of the army. Okay. All right. Without any of those information blocks, you can knock them off there. Just a second.
You got an information block you can take off. There you go. Stay right there. Stay right there. Okay. We've gotten several offers. You know, there was a little $35,000 offer for that. We turned it down. Okay. There is
a $40,000 offer that still stands. The there's two people that have been back and forth. Uh, one of them offered 300, which is not a standing offer anymore. This is for
education. Bam. Bam. Bam. They offer 300 for those three. And uh but that offer is not on the table. This one here, he came up with this little lot and this one for 200,000.
The gentleman came back with this property by itself for 250,000. These people here offered 415 for every bit of it. uh we could walk away with 450,000 and
still have this nice big staging lot belonging to us. In other words, it'd be 200 for this and this and 250 for that. I would highly recommend you consider that be two different owners, two
different bids, and they would be good with that. They're not in competition with each other. Um, >> Mr. Mayor, where's that parking lot we just talked about just a meeting or two ago that was behind that concrete people?
>> That Okay, that's what you're Okay. >> Yeah, >> thank you. >> Oh, it's not showing up what your point is, buddy. >> And how much is that whole all those units combined if they were under one parcel? >> Well, right now we we've taken this one
off the table. I know, but I mean >> all up together if we accepted those two offers would be 400. >> No, I'm talking about sizewise cuz the state's going to give us this parcel that's seven acres and then that's going to abut to it. So it's problematic for me right off.
>> All right. This is 1.4 acres. >> Yep. Okay. >> 1.4 acres. >> Yeah. >> One point about seven acres here. >> Okay. >> And this is 222. >> So 1.4 1.4 1 >> six or seven. >> Okay. So I'll just round up and then 22
for the other one. >> So that's another three four almost five. >> That's three. >> What's the zoning? >> Uh >> right now it's institutional for city purposes.
>> They'd have to apply for >> Yeah, we had some of that we did a few years ago as commercial across the street. >> What's across the street? It was a It was >> You're talking about the old health
department. >> No, no, the opposite side of it was on the east side of the street. That's the only residential anywhere around right here. And at one, these two, that's the only residential
in the old block on either side. >> What What is the big white roof on the opposite side of the highway? That one. Yes. Old Camel Cash area. >> What is it now? Something pond. >> Oh, pawn shop. Yeah, I know what it is. Okay.
>> Did the state give us that property once upon a time? >> Yes. Uh the way it was written up when it was still part of Florida Army National Guard, it would revert to the city of the Phoenix Springs if they ever shut it
down. And so they did. Uh the armory was probably built around 1951 52 75 years old. Um went and looked at the other day. The
main tools that are on the outside of it are in pretty bad shape. But the main course of building which I'm no structural engineer still looks like it's in pretty good shape. um
person who is proposing to buy it, I can assure you would do something really nice with it. Um this one here, they showed a rendition which is doesn't mean anything to us because it was just a a drawing of a building with about four storefronts
in it for this vacant lot. And uh I know for that lot there they just need to park their foot on the below 22 acre lot. I'll just bring you guys up to date real quick.
I don't know if everybody can see this one or not. This lot here we've taken out of the equation. This this right here will be a great staging lot for the city if we have to temporarily put equipment on there. Anything we need, which happens
frequently. This is the old armory. This is the vacant lot, the old health department. This little lot right here, they offered us 35,000 the lot behind their building. Then they came and offered us 40. And
this this offer they've done this past two weeks has been this lot and that lot for 200. They offered 415 for this, this, this, and that. This person here offered 300 for this,
this, and this. If we take their offers as is, we get 200 for this, and this, and 250 for that, that's 450 and still have the largest lot out there uh for a staging
lot. So, I would strongly recommend considering selling it at that latest offer. Like I say, this is a 75 year old building. Going to be a lot of money spent there. A lot of money.
And we're we get no tax base off any of that property as it is right now. And we do pay a minimum amount of uh utilities >> and then we have to maintain that property as is.
>> Point of information. Did we discard the >> Are we at public comment now or >> go ahead >> point of >> All right. Hang on. Hang on just a minute, Wendy. Now
um >> is it time to discuss or Go ahead. You You can >> We just got the firehouse given to us >> from the state >> thanks to Glenn and Shane Abbott.
And I'm wondering what's this g is this kind of a bad look if we giving away state land they gave us. I'm kind of wondering about that a little bit. The next thing is is uh the the numbers that you quoted. Have we gotten an appraisal?
>> No, we haven't paid for appraisal. >> Okay. >> Um we're we're only required for an appraisal if we're going to go buy some. >> Okay. So, if if this firehouse improvement goes into Harvest and Field >> Mhm.
and Harverson Field has no place to go but north. And it looks like that is an excellent opportunity for our city to capitalize on, and don't shoot me for saying this word.
Let's just say that we finally get our head above water to where we've got all of our needs met. And now it's time to get some wants. Could that be some entertainment spot
like maybe an amphitheater or something of that nature for for public uh to for the public to enjoy or possibly move from blocking our street on Bowwin?
Could we have the food trucks out there? There's a lot of ways the city can use that. That's a valuable piece of property and this is this is growth for our city
right here. We're just not financially able to capitalize on that right now. But I think that getting rid of this would be a mistake. >> Mr. Mayor, go ahead. I the way I see it,
we have talked about something on those two properties, the Armory property and the old Healthmart property or health department property for seven plus years, >> right? >> And and here we are today 2026 with no money in the bank to do anything on
those properties, >> right? We also have on the budget that's been brought up numerous times renovations to the existing fire station for at least $425,000. I would much rather see these two
properties go back onto the tax roles, generate revenue for the the city in terms of not only abalone taxes, but water and sewer revenue because they're going to develop them. That's that's what we understand based on what the mayor's presented. Those those two
properties will be developed. We then take that $450,000 and we can fund directly our fire station improvements that are desperately needed without having to touch the budget. That to me makes sense
>> that we're going to make enough tax off of these properties to do what? >> To pay for the fire department. >> Are you going to sell them? No. >> How does it go to the CRA? >> No, it doesn't. The sale of these properties will
>> hang on. We're going away on the boat, Wendy. >> It will go into our general fund and then we can turn around and designate that money for improvements to our fire station. And then we get water and sewer revenue on anything that's been developed. We got a building right there that would
immediately start generating revenue. And then as the mayor mentioned, they've got a concept to build another building on the vacant lot, the old health department lot. So there will be impact, there will be capacity fees paid on that. Then there will be water and sewer revenue on that
in perpetuity. And then whatever sales tax revenue gets generated on top of that for those businesses that are there. Like to me, why why are we hanging on to two pieces of property for shoulda, would a could have when in the last seven years alone, we have talked
those two properties to death and and never never done anything with it. >> This is for our city growth. >> Yeah, it is. Why are we hanging on to property that that could be developed? >> Glenn.
>> Yes, sir. Um, se several things. Um, one on the consent agenda today, we just approved um, professional real estate broker services for things such as this. It doesn't have to be just, you know, to to to buy
property, but to sell property as well. We'd be wise to do that. Um we we received some criticism from selling a piece of property in the past without you know going out to bids and um you know and we might have the
prerogative to do that but I don't know that it is the best uh the best look for us to do to do that kind of thing and make a practice of it. Um there might be higher bids out there. uh this this is not necessarily
um a sellers market right now. Um and that potentially might be getting worse in the coming months. Um so I'm concerned about that. I I don't I don't think we should be in the bargain basement sale price uh of of of
property. Uh if if an investor can buy property and turn around and sell it, make a profit, that tells us we're selling it for too little. Um but we had discussed in the past the fire department use uh if during renovations
of the fire department um whether we would need that and be able to utilize that armory building. Kobe I don't know if if anybody's measured that door but we had talked about that at one point the back uh door of it. So there could be potential use for that and and and I
agree, you know, we we're, you know, it looks like we're going to get the 7.1 acres from from the state and that will be a very large municipal complex over there, including, you know, the football field. And we have no other land for expansion anywhere that really makes
sense for for future use. And and and I get, you know, that we we could be getting property taxes and water revenue and all that, and I understand that. I appreciate it. Um, but land is not going to be uh getting cheaper uh for this city in the future if we have to buy
additional land. So, especially this the the armory, the adjacent land to what we're just getting from the state. Um, Harbison Field doesn't have enough parking. There's people parking on 83. Um, it's a wonder nobody's been hit
there. Maybe they have over the years. Um the the community center parking is just not enough. Um and and you know, I'd hate to see the armory torn down necessarily be a parking lot, but it would at least be serving a a a municipal purpose um for the safety of
people utilizing uh Harvest and Field on Pee-Wee football days and soccer days and things like that. So, it's just something to think about. Um I've I've always been uh on these property sales. I've always been uh kind of a reservationist in in being too quick to
sell something comes available. Um be because we have bits and pieces of small property all over the city but nothing together. You see, and that's what concerns me uh when we let go of something that we have right now uh that we might see see a need for unexpectedly
in some way. uh that health department building. Uh it's my understanding someone uh told me this afternoon that there's probably close to $100,000 or so in demo of that building that the city spent. I don't
know whether that's the case or not. >> No. >> Was there inside demo that the city paid for? >> No. The county did it 100%. >> County did the outside demo as well of the building. >> Can we stop you there real quick? >> Yes, we did. We did pay for that. I don't want y'all to say anything that
wasn't true. Um, so we spent a total of $44,740 for inside demo on the walls and asbestous removal. >> So, because we were going to put the police in there at one time.
>> So, and I used a lot of political capital with the county to get that tore down. So, our original estimate was 130,000 from a private construction company to tear it down. I got the county to do it for 30. So, there's
about $100,000 of political capital that I've got skin in that game that I personally went and get them to do. So, when you need to know the history, that's that's the history of it. So, >> so the county gave us that property.
>> Yeah. Yeah. We we probably shouldn't have taken it on, but the the whole goal was to put the police department there. Okay. >> Way before my time and that sat went stagnant and then me getting elected trying to make effort to get that way. That's where we ended up. >> Well, now I'm wondering if the next time
we need help from the county if >> Well, I won't be going there. I can assure you that. So, >> okay. So, >> so if I could make one more point quickly on on the fire department renovation, um, you know, we had talked about, well,
the CR former board, uh, and and director CRA had talked about, you know, doing fire department renovations. Um, and I I really don't see any reason why the CRA couldn't couldn't couldn't do that. Um, if because we are the board
now. Uh, and we can we can we can make decisions like that if that's what we choose to do. Thank you. >> Yeah, >> I love your idea about the food trucks and stuff and moving those out there.
Hadn't even thought about that, but um I too have some concerns and reservations and you know I started to think man this is starting to look like a pattern that we just as soon as we get something available we sell it and it's under market. we don't even know what it is. So, I agree with what Mr. Harrison said.
We just saw tonight where we just hired a realtor for services or we're going to go out and get potential somebody that with that kind of experience that can help us with this stuff in the future. And, you know, we just had that special meeting amongst ourselves where we looked at all the properties and lands
we had and we didn't make any final decisions on what we were going to do there. Um, and so I I was kind of surprised to see this on the agenda. And then, um, now that the state's going to potentially give us that seven acres,
this abutts right to it. So, I agree we can expand. I see in the future, what if we wanted to build an entire city complex out there, you know, including a new city hall, a fire, a police? I mean, I just think it's wrong to give it away at this time. Um, you know, and talking
about flipping properties, you know, the former police station that we sold for >> and change, >> flipped for 400 some thousand. So, again, unless we know what that market value is, I wouldn't be for giving it up. Um,
and I'm kind of thinking that maybe we train the outsiders to to just give us offers and solicitations. Maybe we do need a policy. Danny, I think you, Mr. And you brought that up at the last time we were talking about this and I said I
didn't think we had that much property that we would really need to go out and do that. But now that I'm seeing people can just solicit to you know give us a bid on whatever they want and other people were flying to that I think maybe we do need to get a policy in place to do this
>> it gives the appearance of a back door. So, >> mayor, go ahead. >> Can you help me define a backdoor deal when it's put on a public agenda and it's discussed in a public meeting?
>> I I I I don't understand this. Will you >> So, who's who's the interested parties? >> They're on the agenda. >> Who? >> They're on the agenda. >> They're not on mine. >> They're attached to the agenda. Did >> you just Could you answer the question for the public?
>> Hold on. Mayor, >> you want to? >> It's his turn. He was It's his turn. Then Dan, you can follow up. You finished? >> All right. Go ahead, Dan. >> Who's interested in this? >> So, your offer for the two lots is submitted by Miss Cali RS on behalf of a
client. She's acting as the real estate agent. Correct, Mayor? >> That's correct. >> The other one is submitted by the purchaser himself, Mr. Reynolds Henderson. Yes, ma'am. >> Is there a motion on the floor? >> No. >> No. >> I'd like to make a motion that we reject
the offers. >> And keep the property. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion. Second. >> Question from the dis. Any other questions or comments from D? >> Did she speak yet? >> Yeah.
>> Melinda Henderson, uh, citizen. The CRA hired structural engineers and they said the building's not worth saving. So I don't like to hear y'all saying repairs. It's going to have to be torn down. At one time you said you would move the
fire department out of the mole into the armory. And that's something I haven't heard y'all factored in. >> Yeah. Yeah. Come on up from the back if you want. Don Arnold,
I'm just here. I in listening to this discussion as a real estate broker, I can tell you that I wouldn't sell any of that property without an appraisal if you considered selling it. And if I with it all being contiguous, I think there's
a lot more value there to the city with that than there is selling it for $450,000. I think in the long run, you're going to be much better off holding on to that and meeting your needs in the future because there's not going to be any more land and you're not going to be able to afford to buy it.
And that's based on what I hear y'all talking about, your finances right now. But all that contiguous property there is way more valuable than that. >> Thank you, >> Phil. CU R I um thank you guys for your
time. Um, I'm I know all of you aren't aware, but I have had past conversations with a council member and an old interim city manager about this property. I have not had any conversations with the current city manager. I have never made a formal written offer. We only spoke about my intentions for the building.
Most of our conversations was around the building, if the building could be sold or not, and for how long the school was going to use it for storage. I would like to ask everyone sitting in front of me a question. With the everyday need for recreational areas, why has this property not been maintained and kept in
a usable state? It is my understanding this property was gifted to the city. I am not sure how it was funded, but there were brand new basketball courts and volleyball courts installed in there. I personally played men's league basketball around the year
2009 in that building. It ran for several years. I also played several charity basketball games on that court when I was with the sheriff's office. The court was in great shape and an asset to the community. This property is near Harve Field, the civic center, the skate park, and other city properties.
Is selling this property in the best interest for the future of this city? I feel like if you ever get on top of things and and and want to do something, property is going to cost way more. I mean, this this was given to you. I have not paid real attention lately, but all I have heard around town is how
this city has no money. Selling off real long-term assets is not a solution to a budget deficit. Unless the problems are corrected, you're going to be selling something off every year. I want to challenge you to keep it and make some kind of city county programs,
get them up and running for the youth in our area. I do not want to see this asset lost. However, if you are set dead set on selling this property, I did bring an offer for you tonight. It exceeded what the offers the mayor showed. And if I knew the mayor would
have give that good of presentation, I might have just emailed it to him and let him give it. So, if you guys do want to sell it, get with me. I'll keep that offer. It did exceed, but I would say keep it. You're never going to be able to buy it back. I mean, it's it's a long-term asset.
>> What's your name, sir? >> Philip Currid. >> Thank you. Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> Phip. Phillip. Phillip, >> would you leave your information with our clerk there, please? >> But um >> just how to how to get in touch with you
and maybe maybe look at an offer if we get that far. >> Yeah. >> May or may real quick before Miss Lightner to comment. Um, so it just some background the building has active has been effectively you know uh not in use
for the city since prior to me working here. I know. And then in 22 the form the manager at the time >> hold on hold on hold on we got something going on order. >> Sorry. Um the manager at the time in 22 allowed the school board to use for storage and I think they come out they come out of there last last year in 25.
So the building structurally sound has not been a use of the city I know since 2022 prior to me being here. I don't know why when the when the uh I think it was the Boys and Girls Club came out. Um but this building is fine. The renovations need to be done regardless of who uses or what purpose is. Um but
that's effectively what's been going on for the last four years almost. >> Okay. Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Randy Lightner, Li Ght Ner. Um I posted about this on social media late yesterday afternoon. It received 153
reactions, 179 comments, and over 20 shares. None in favor of it. Um, people are really fed up. I understand that you can do this legally, but it seems to be on repeat now that we're in
the back door. To answer Mr. Beerbomb's question, is just by virtue of the fact that this happens and it happens for the same person on repeat. That's not okay. It's a bad look. Whether you can do it or not, you should not do it. You should have more pride in what you're doing for
the public than to even con continue to consider doing this. Um, also, the state just gave land next door like everyone has said. I can't speak for anyone who had anything to do with that, but I would be pretty upset if I just gave you
this land and now you want to make a quick buck off of this land right next door. I I just feel like a few of you continue to want to make decisions that are isolating everyone that can help you in the future, this the the county, the state. So, I hope you're thinking about
that. And um someone else actually contacted me after I posted about this yesterday and they have come and asked a few times if the armory was for sale and have been told that it is not for sale. They also were interested in a purchase. So th this just isn't okay whether
whether it's legal whether you can do it or not. It's it's not acceptable. It's a terrible look for all of you and and it's not a good look for the person who continues to come through the back door and do it this way. Do it in the sun. If you want to sell it, put it up for sale.
Yeah. Okay. Well, the uh I mean it'd be lovely to have this thing, you know, is recreational and I I would love to see it happen, but who's going to foot the bill? You know, we just uh we talked about 20 something thousand dollars going to the athletic and little league
and that is out of the question. Going to take a heap heap heap lot more money than that to utilize this building, uh you know, for recreation. Uh, it takes money and if we were to do it, we'd have at least as many people complaining that
we were spending taxpayers money, you know, for the little league or whoever. It's going to happen. >> Yes, we would. Go ahead. >> Um, mayor on that piece of property behind the concrete uh company. Yeah. >> Now, you know, if we can find a way to
help that company because they're there, they they exist and they need that additional space. We just haven't come to terms on the amount. But personally, I view that differently as an existing company that's already there that just needs more space. Uh they want to stay
there. Um and you know, if we can find a way to to do that, it's because it's a small space, but it is an improved lot. I mean, it is paved that doesn't come cheaply. Um, and uh, the city or whoever paid for that pay. I don't know who paid
for it, whether it was county or city, but uh, but it is improved property, you know, behind that. So, just just put that out there. I'm not saying, you know, on this whole parcel necessarily, but but but that one those folks tried to work with us twice now, you know, and
you you've been working with them and and I would like to see us be able to help them if possible somehow. But the the latest it's it's still on the table just 40 all they're offering for you. So >> uh they were offering 200 for it and the
lot next door. Uh so >> that far far as they're concerned that's the only two offers on the table right now. >> Yes sir. >> Mr. Mayor, I I just want to state before we do go to a vote. Um, we we've spoke about this in the past and some of the
information that's come to light tonight is one of the reasons why I'll be voting the way that I do, but I just I do think that this needs to go out to some type of bid or sale and the fact that we're going out for RFQ for um a real estate broker at this point, this this process
would kind of negate that. I don't say that it's nefarious or back door or anything like that because what Councilman Beerbone said is the truth. it it's been brought out here to the light into the public. So, if there are people who aren't here or aren't tuning in or who aren't watching this because they don't want to know what's going on
with government, that that's their prerogative, but you're doing the business out in the open in front of the people. I mean, that's far more than some legislative bodies have to go through in my opinion, but um but I just wanted to get that on the record. That's why I'll vote the way that I will tonight. Okay. All right. So, we have a
motion, a second, and that had to do with >> restate the motion. Rejection. >> Okay. >> Reject the offers >> and keep the property. >> All in favor say I. >> No. >> I >> I >> I
carry. Okay. We can pick this up later as to what we want to do uh with that. And uh I assume that's for the the whole sheet of music. >> Yeah. 10 minutes. Who would have thought we' have needed tonight? Anyway, all right, we're going
to take a real quick 10-minute break. When I say quick Come on in. Come on in. Hey, what time are we gonna sing happy birthday to Sumi? Happy birthday to you. >> I think they should take her to Lumba and let them set that thing on fire
around her head. Take her to Lumba. Let them set that thing on fire around your head. I don't know what that is, but that's crazy. It's like I don't want life. >> There's no telling where those things have been. Okay, Jaden back in.
>> Yes, sir. >> Jaden, come on up. Jaden, we're gonna give Jaden the floor for just a minute. We're going to call this meeting back to order and then we will open after her. We'll go to citizen comments. >> I guess I don't need this. I did make
it. I'm sure I remember what's in it. >> Y'all can Jesse or Michael, y'all can pull that. There it is. They're pull up. >> Wow. >> No, ma'am. >> You ready? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, this is going to be a project
that we are hoping to have done by the middle of April. The weather is dependent upon that since we will be painting outside. Um, there's about 10 fire hydrantsish in our main street district that I
counted. Um, we will be collaborating with the Deiac Art Co-op to complete this project. I got with public works uh and the city manager and also uh the fire department on supplies and how to do this project and we have the green
light on that. Um do you guys have any questions for us? >> That's good. >> Thank you. >> I have a comment. >> Yes, sir. >> Your organization has really been doing an outstanding job marketing our town.
>> Thank you. your efforts have not gone unnoticed and we appreciate it very much. >> Thank you. Well, we couldn't do what we do without the support of the city and we're very thankful for all the help that we have from the city and our community. So, thank you. Proud to be here. >> Okay. All right.
>> Is that all? >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you, Jaden. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Before we open up the floor for citizen comments, we uh we don't need a repeat. You know, someone coming up saying what somebody else already said. uh you're limited 3 minutes. Please
state your name and if you are representing an organization, we'd appreciate you stating that name as well. But uh with that, we will open the floor for public comments. Come on. >> Good evening. My name is Jim Harmon. H A
R M. I live at 717 Country Club Drive. Um, I am here to representing our neighbors. Each of you were emailed a copy of a petition um that was signed by every property owner on Country Club Drive opposing strongly opposing the
plan to enter uh create a new entrance into the airport. Your fourth entrance into the airport down Country Club Drive. Uh it the main thing is is a serious safety concern where the most impacted houses. Uh there will be eight
kids underneath or elementary school age and younger right there where you are planning to build this road if you get the easement from the county where all the trucks are going to be coming in where all everything is going to be coming in after this. Eight kids. We
have a quiet neighborhood, a quiet dead-end road that you guys are going to impact in in a terrible terrible way. There was a comment made today like, "Well, you guys knew you were living or or buying next to an airport." You're right. We
did. Well, but now what you were doing is you were putting us in the airport, not next to it, in it. And that is just wrong. We have it. There is an insufficient uh railroad crossing. It's 20 feet wide. It will not handle this
kind of traffic. There's an insufficient roadway that was built for to handle industrial type traffic. None of this was designed to do what you guys want to do because you not maybe you individually, but you did not plan the
expansion of the airport properly. four entrances into one small community airport. Do you know what other airports in the whole region have four entrances? None. None. But because you did not plan
properly, you want us to bear that burden. You you are you are going out there and prioritizing this airport expansion over the safety of the citizens. And that is just dead wrong. That is just dead wrong.
I I'll let somebody else speak about the grant and the provisions of the grant for this. But I want one thing I want everybody who's here for this to stand up so you can see how many people are here. Okay. All right then. Thank you. But secondly, what what I will ask you
if if you or your children or your grandchildren lived in those houses that are going to be most impacted, how would you think what how would you vote on this? Would you want your grandchild living right there? You are you're seriously devaluing the the our
neighborhood, the value of our neighborhood, and you're putting our citizens, your citizens, one you're supposed to be representing, at risk. Think about what you're prioritizing because it's not us. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Greg Majors.
I'm a property owner out there at Country Club Drive and I've had an opportunity to speak to several of you on this about this particular thing. Uh unfortunately I got like four different answers. Everybody I think was kind and nobody's trying to mislead or anything. Mr. Towns was not kind enough to come out and speak to all the neighbors uh
last week I think it was at the country club and uh he talked about this grant and it's my understanding in reading the grant and studying it here that this initial phase with this uh easement that we're requesting to build a road that this is
that the uh grant is for a 100 net jobs within three years at that location only those three hangers that you're putting out there. Okay, according to the grant here, which I I've got, in addition to that, we do realize that if those jobs are not filled, the city has clawed back
some money. If 75 of if they got 75 jobs that 25 they didn't fill, the city's going to owe a million dollars back and after being here tonight and hearing all this discussion, you don't have a million dollars sitting around to give back, do we? Second day, we heard it
tonight about the real estate and somebody made a comment that we about being open. Okay. No one's suggesting that you guys didn't do this legally, but this was about the least open transaction I have ever seen. I was on the city planning board for a number of years. Somebody wanted a variance. You
had to come down here and you had to apply for it. You had a public hearing, public notification. None of that's happened. If Miss Bernie hadn't found out about it, I wouldn't have known about it and our neighborhood wouldn't have known about it. It had already been approved. Now, it may have been legally right way things, but you did not do
them the right and moral way. you're not representing your constituency out here. I've got two, excuse me, four grandkids that live right there, one house from that uh from that opening and you want to let traffic go in there and in and out. I had a nice conversation with Mr. Harrison. He informed me that after it
was built, there wouldn't be any traffic out there. Well, I'm sorry. You're going to have a hundred employees if you're successful going through there every day. The mayor said he's working on some roads from the southeast corner. You know, my question is this is only one
portion of the bid or the grant. The Mr. uh Townsen alluded that that grant was going to be somewhere around 600 jobs about 300 of them be out at the property. Is that correct approximately? >> Correct. So, there's two grants. There's the job growth grant fund and Triumph. >> You're eating up my 46 seconds. That's what
>> she's gonna pause it. So, okay. Um Triumph requires 100 jobs. Uh job growth grant requires 500. uh 300 of those are to be indirect within the region and then 200 of those are to be direct. Triumph uh is allowing us to duplicate the first hundred. So I will apologize
they're not I I spoke correctly the first time and the second time I misspoke. So it's 200 jobs um that would be direct on the airfield for this project. >> So So the thing about that is that if you uh if we don't meet those stand the city is not successful the city's
looking at spending some bucks. Okay. And I would ask, how many jobs has the city created so far in the last decade? I don't know the answer to that. I don't. And as a citizen, I should not have to go watch every city council meeting to see if something's going to affect the property I live on. That's
BS. You know it. I know it. You'd all be upset if this was happening in your neighborhood. Not a single one of you would vote for it. Uh I just think there's there should been far more public disclos disclosure. people should be able to know what's going on and be informed and have an opportunity to say
something till this last minute motion that we're having tomorrow at this at the county commission office. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Major, if I could clarify, I didn't say there wouldn't be any traffic out there. I said there wouldn't be traffic into the neighborhood. This entrance is
going to be at the north at at Excuse me. >> You like everybody else? You called me. You called me by name. Normally, I wouldn't respond, but you you called me out. >> I can respond to what he says very quickly. >> Yeah. I'm not referring this. You didn't say anything accurate. So, I just said that I got different stories from different people.
>> So, let me unify. >> Let me finish. Let me finish. >> Go ahead. >> So, what I said was the traffic >> would be entering the airport on the north side of the neighborhood there. There wouldn't be through traffic into the neighborhood. They have no purpose to go into the neighborhood. Um, so
that's the point that I was trying to make on the telephone. So I didn't say there wouldn't be traffic uh at all. >> Thank you. >> All right. Move next. >> Come on. >> Hello everybody. My name is Jerry Ma.
I've been living on uh that course for 22 years. uh thanks to Perdu they closed the plant. I lost the job. So I have to move to the funeral and
travel to uh um dom or the next >> enterprise. enterprise. When we came here 22 years ago,
club had 450 members, money galore, party every Sunday or or or Saturday, good time, you know, karaoke and and and and spending money
here and there. Luckily, we had a good grass. it still had enough money to cover that. However, as you can see, we are all all this we
are dying slowly and and came to the point that management pissed out the money and at the end we left not 450 but 80 members.
And you should see the bills to pay electricity, taxes, and on the top of our regular uh membership, we have to dish out money from our own pocket to keep that thing alive, you know, and we did. Some people
they paid entire bill for for let's say tax. I don't want to mention who, but some people they were generous and they paid. So we keep that thing and until
county took this over three years ago I think country took from from from us and I think it's the best move ever made because sure at the beginning they had
some expenses to put the civil system there and and the cost. However, when I'm sitting on the back porch now and I see how many people are playing, they are making money,
good money. So, that's good thing. There's another thing. During the school year, you club is allowing schools,
high schools to have tournaments there. You should see how many kids are playing there. Buses, yellow buses, and and and lots of cars. And then guess what? Guess what? This passage through over the the rail.
I want I want to give you an opportunity to make your point in relation to what we're doing tonight. >> Uh that passage is very narrow. >> Prescription is on the corner. Lots of people are coming just to go to the
parking lot over there. and alongside the fairway number seven today because so many people are playing there and and the scale of this golfers is different
>> and and I bet you any money many broken glasses will be there because the the balls are flying almost to the railro to the train where the train is coming. So it's very dangerous place and and
besides people who bought the houses over there, the first house on the right and first house on the left and the second, they have small kids there. They pay arm and the leg for those houses and you you put
the road there. You know, who knows? You can put the guarantee that the price will will be the same. they may drop and then they will be losers. And then besides the highway on on the
golf course, it's a bad idea. Very bad idea. >> All right. Well, I appreciate your comments. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next. >> My name is Randall Grryer. I have a couple questions. Have you done a
environmental impact study on this road? >> Well, I think on the property we own, but go ahead. So, u during the design phase of the project, there would be an environmental u assessment or a NEPA compliant CADEX done on the property the
project's on, not the actual country club drive. But there will be a traffic study conducted on Country Club Drive in accordance with any other project we would do. You said there will be an impact study. >> There will be a traffic study conducted. >> Not one done now. >> No, there is not. >> You understand there is heads to Alakor
Creek basically where you going to try to put this road? >> Yes. >> And you're going to impact the streams that feed at Main Creek River. >> We will be required by the FAA to
perform that NEPA process. Yes. >> But you want to proceed until then. Typically that's how that's how it happens because the dollars are grant associated so therefore you have to go in order of the grant dollars. >> You said the other night that you had property on the west side of the airport.
>> Correct. The city does own property. >> You have enough property to do what you want to do on the east side on the west side. >> There is property like we talked about the you can pause it if it's right. Um the the challenge with that is like we talked about is the city has not went down that avenue yet for a number of
reasons. uh because one, we don't know if we'd even be allowed to based on the grant agreements and we don't know we'd be allowed to by the FAA unless we did a change to our ALP. So again, we have not went down that avenue. That's not something the council has directed us to do. We've moved forward this project. Um so right now I can't tell you whether we
could or we could not. >> So right now you can't tell me exactly what you're going to do. >> Well, right now we're going to build three three hangers on the east side of the airport. >> And you're going you're going to put 200 people in them. And how many employees you have now out there? Well, this pro we the city have four employees. This
project would not be the city creating jobs. It's bring companies in to create jobs. >> How many people you got in line to rent your hangers? >> Currently, there's no particular entities on the hook at the moment for these hangers. >> So, we're building a pipe dream.
>> They call it speculative and fill it up for you, but you can't promise that. >> They call it speculative. We've had that conversation. Tim can touch on that with Triumph and Job Growth Grant Fund. uh they see the project the airport as being a economic hub and tool and they
see that as a very viable project to bring those in >> speculative speculative building >> know a lot of people are going broke doing that >> then you you're spending my money >> so I have vested interest because I live there
>> I you have access already to your property >> I don't know why you want to come from the end you do to impact the people that's there. >> If if I live there and had the little children, and you would too, >> any one of you would, you're going to
start bringing a lot of traffic in. And if you happen to happen to get 200 employees, uh they going to be in and out of there all day long. And these kids are running around the summer out here.
>> You you've endangered the neighborhood by doing this. And I think there's another way you can do it without impacting the subdivision. >> Mayor, I'll if you want me to if you don't want to do a Q&A, I won't do it. I'll I'll had a couple questions in
there I'll respond to, but if you don't want me to do it, I won't. It's up to you. >> U Well, let's go see where it goes real quick. >> Uh just a couple points to it. Um this is your grant dollars. Obviously, we've talked about the clawbacks, provisions, things of that nature. We talked about that night. I can't I don't see how we
could ever tell you what could occur in 10 years. there's a 10-year ramp up period for it. So, at this moment, we are spending grant dollars um from three different entities uh for the project. Terms of access, um there are three existing accesses like we talked about that night. None of those three allow us access to this side of the airport at
the current moment. And well, again, we talked about was uh the legalities of that in compliance with FAA u because of the dirt runway uh in general. So, I would say there are three access to the airport. This would be the fourth, but the current three, in no way do we have the ability legally to access that side of the airport.
>> There's no way to go around the south end of the airport. >> No, sir. Not at current it current position. >> You're going to have the same problem building this road as you would building one around the end of the airport around the runway. No, we fall without we so if we're
building outside the bottom under the north south runway we would be running into issues with the RPZ of the of the north souths and object free and topography of the the land there on the end. Uh this project there's topography issue uh but the grant dollars are going to allow that landfill to build that
road in. Correct. And so we don't run into the same RPZ or object free zone issues here with the county's easement. We fall outside of those zones. >> Thank you. I just we feel like you have other options and it's apparent that
we're not pursued any of these options at this time, but we'd like to ask you to do that because if you if you fail on your grant, then what happens? >> Again, that I can't tell you what'll happen. The one grant does have a clawback provision. The others do not.
>> Yeah. So, so I really don't know much more now than I did when I come up here. And I don't mean that >> personally to you, but >> I would just like to ask each one of you to consider
if this was you, what would you do? It's children. >> One of the possibilities of and of course this this council would have to prove that we have a north south runway and we've talked about closing it
down. Right now, we have uh a lot of repair work to do on the main runway, the east west runway. There's a hump. It's got to be widened. There is a strong chance that it could be temporarily
down to where you could not fly in or out. My position would be that we keep the dirt runway until we get this thing 100% fixed, which would happen over the next year and a half. At that time, I would have no problems us closing the north
south runway and then we can drive anywhere we want, you know, from the other side. >> We wonder why we want to pursue this if that could be be the case. >> Well, we don't know it can be the case. First of all, it have to fly by these five
>> understand. But folks, >> there's there's another option is what he's telling me. And he said too that he's got to get approval from FAA and probably DOT uh with a uh you know would it be acceptable to them if we change the plan
but uh I don't see a major problem with it but I'm not an engineer for the state of Florida or for FFA FAA you know >> I just hope you all take consideration where we coming from. >> Yeah. And if you got options,
try to exercise them. >> Well, I'm sure we will definitely look at the option based on, you know, what we're hearing tonight. We, you know, of course, you say it's all our fault, but I wish we' have heard this, you know, a year and a half, two years ago, you know.
>> Yeah. Understand the money approved for the road was in 2022, and now we're just hearing about that. Mhm. >> Who who was trying to hide what? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Mr. Mayor, could you ask him? I didn't quite hear I thought he said that some
kind of creek was going to be impacted. Some kind of waterway. Is that correct? >> Well, there's headers. There's headarters right up there. Uh right up to the almost to the runway, not right. Yeah. Some coming off of your property, some are still on the county's property,
but road you're putting in, you're going to encroach very closely to where one or two of the main springs are. Yeah. >> And I'm not sure EPA going to allow you in the first place. >> Yeah. They may not. >> You may you may have pool that I don't know about, but they get kind of touchy
about their >> Yeah. Well, we appreciate your concern and I'm sure everybody will take it in consideration. >> Thank you. I do appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Mr. Mayor, can I ask Kobe where where are those spring where where on the property are these >> I'm assuming they're talking they're they're talking about right there where
the roads being proposed or just south of it within that um kind of depression in the ground on the county property. >> Again the FA is will require us and is requiring us to do the proper NEPA process whether that be environmental assessment or categorical exclusion for
this property. So that will have to be conducted uh as we go through this process and they will tell us what we can and can't do andor if we need to make revisions to the project. >> Is that going to impact what we're trying to do to meet your compliance with the grant dollars? >> It could. We don't we don't know. We have not conducted that yet. That's part
of the design process. Anyone else? >> Uh Ryan Gilbert. Um, my house is directly across from where the road's going to go. I've got a 3-year-old and one-year-old. Absolutely not. I mean, it's if there's another way, we got to figure out a way
to do it. Uh, it, you know, it's creating jobs is great, but in 10 years, can we guarantee that 100 are going to be created first of all, so we don't have to pay about the money. Second of all, you know, you're affecting there's like eight kids, little ones that live right there that it's just a lot of
traffic and we don't want it. That's about all I got. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. Anyone else? >> Well, first of all, y'all start going south and west of that airport. You're going to get on to some property I own and we're going to have some problems.
So, just to make that clear. >> But what I wanted to ask about was um the Florence Park fence. I have a child who is a park connoisseur and she loves Florence Park. It's her favorite park in the whole county. But when I heard you guys talking about panels, I just wanted to make sure you're not going to be
putting anything up that's going to block air control like the children's park in Nashville or anything, right? Is it going to be some type of chain link? >> No, they're they are uh mean panels. No, they they breathe. I don't explain the photos on there. It's uh they're just columns. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Thanks. >> Slats. >> Slats. Yeah. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Deborah Bernie, I live in Country Club Drive. I have a question for y'all. I know he's on the agenda for the county commission meeting tomorrow to have the the land swapped.
And after our discussion, I would like for y'all to at least consider what we've asked you. I know the county commissioner called me today and said that he did get put on the agenda. He was not last week, but now that he is and at least consider our please. Thank
you. >> Thank you. And mayor just clarify she is correct. Um when I talked to everyone at a meeting uh we were we were to be on the March 10th agenda that was if y'all remember my meet when I went in February um to bring that back at their next meeting which was the south end. So work
with admin move it to the 10th. Uh admin mistakenly left it off there when they first created the agenda got with them. Uh the chairman was aware as well and so they added it on knowing for a month that we were going to be there. So they were comfortable with that as well. >> Okay. All right. We're going to close the floor for citizen comments. Uh Clay,
you got anything? >> No, sir. >> All right. The legislative request. Miss Evelyn. >> Um yes. So, what I did was at our last meeting um there was a lot of values spoken about. Um
hold on a minute. Sorry, mayor. in reference to uh how we're going to move forward with the new um vendor for the fire assessment. So, what I did was I went and pulled all the
actuals of what we actually spend because we were talking from ranges from like $2 million to 11.5 million. And for me, that was a wide range. And I know you had some concerns about how we going to keep the assessment reasonable versus, you know, and other folks were
worried about it's going to be way too expensive. So what I did was I took our audited financials and our actuals uh year-to- date. Um this was through December the 2nd, by the way. And I made this little spreadsheet, but I just kind
of wanted to everybody to see what it actually cost us to operate. And what I did is I built in some assumptions into this work paper. 3% every year for raises in 2027. Um
renovating the fire station for $425,000 in year 2028. Adding one fire uh one firefighter and then also in 2028 uh purchasing a new fire truck. So, I kind of brought this to our attention because
I don't want I want I have some expectations and I don't want this vendor that we're going to be using um to have such a large range. I I wanted this to at least be the floor. So, I'm hoping that y'all will consider I'd like to make a motion to have this
spreadsheet given by the city manager to that fire assessment vendor so that this could be at a minimum a floor, which is reality of what we actually spend right now. Um, and again, it it doesn't have a lot of
nicities in it. has what we really need to operate the fire station until we can move forward and figure out uh what we're going to do and how we're going to pay for everything. So, I' I'd like to make a motion that this be the floor uh for at least the vendor that they can
consider when they bring back the assessments for us to consider. >> Second. >> So, you we're going to pay for an assessment, but you want them to >> their ground base to start with Miss Heaven. I want them to know what reality
is, what we actually spend to operate it. >> Okay. >> Any comments? >> Well, ju just a question about what would they typically do? I mean, where where would they start? I I have no idea. I'm asking.
>> Yeah. Well, I mean, does anybody have any knowledge at all about >> Look at your actual expenditures >> where they start. Yeah. You look at your actual expenditures, your capital improvement elements and things you have budgeted, >> okay? >> What your actual incomes are, your revenue sources, what you've spent
probably over the last five, perhaps over the last 10 years matched to your capital improvement element, and then they're going to talk to the chief about what his recommended improvements are and what he feels he needs to do to continue operating the fire district. >> So, they're going to look at actuals for
probably five years. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Mayor, >> I've never seen an assessment not look at it. >> Yeah. Well, I I've never had any experience with them. That's >> So, you're just wanting to give the people some information to work with is
all >> I just want to make sure that what I did was I talked to Danielle and certain things. For example, the fuel, you'll see I didn't have I got a little yellow line through there because the fuel is posted somewhere else in the general ledger. So, if you just ran
a fire department budget or actual expenditures, you're not going to see every actual cost that we did. Plus I wanted to have assumptions in there like I gave 3% raise every year for from now and then next year I put another 3% then
you know so I wanted it to be realistic as to what it really cost to operate what our vision is because I I was confused after our special meeting. You know we're talking about $2 million and we're talking about 11.5 million. I want
them to bring me something back with options. you know, I want three or four options that we can choose as a council to say, "Oh, okay. This is what our taxpayers can." >> And you're proposing that this be one of the options. >> I'm saying this should it shouldn't be anything less than this.
>> Okay. >> I mean, this at a minimum, this is realistically what we're currently spending. actually we're spending a little bit less because I built in certain assumptions and I put in 1% uh every year for operating expenditures
because I'm fuel's going to go up, health care is going to go up, >> uh supply needs are going to go up. >> Oh yeah. >> So this is information. >> It's information for them to consider pulled from all sources from the audited financials and then I just projected
where we are. >> Okay. Well, yeah, I appreciate all the work you've done, but what if I had Mr. Beerbomb do the same thing and he brought in a set of numbers that were greatly different? >> Well, Mr. Mayor, if you're suggesting that this doesn't match to our audited
financials, I'll be more than >> I'm just I'm suggesting that one of our council members is is trying to lead the information. >> No, I'm trying to clarify and I want expectations. I want to I want the fire assessment vendor to come back and say
look based on your reality and that's your floor. You know, here's here's one of the starting points. They're going to have to move forward with all these other assumptions that uh was given in some of those other worksheets which are clear up into 11.5 million. And as we
talked about, you know, the police department, you know, they found projections that they had in prior years and they're we're nowhere near what they projected. So, I just wanted more realistic numbers to have an expectation
of what they're going to bring back. >> Okay. All right. So, you did make a motion, right? >> I did. >> Okay. >> And it was seconded. >> All right. Uh, any other questions or comments? Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor,
I I agree with what you said. I think we're getting ahead of the assessment when the assessment is supposed to come in and collect this data and these figures on their own. That 5 to 10 year projection or 20 year or 30 year that was prepared by Chief Sheffield and Kobe were based on needs assessments,
projected population increases and different things that they were looking at. That's what this group is. we hired them to come in and do. We need to stop getting into their business and allow them to do their jobs with the information and the expertise and areas
that they have and let them do it. I mean, I what I got at the end of our last meeting was, hey, we've all agreed that we need a fire assessment performed now, but it's like, hold on a minute. How high is that number going to be? We don't want to hear that. It's got to
occur at this point, and we can't taint that study. let them go and do their study the way that they're supposed to do it. I haven't got a clue how they're going to do it, what day they're going to look at, but I'm sure they're going to ask the finance director, the city manager, the fire chief on where to collect that information and how to put
it together to the best of their abilities. And then they bring back a non-biased opinion. We can continue to stay at the same staffing levels we're at now or bare minimum for the next 10, 20 years, but realistically are we accomplishing what Chief Sheffield and
the department needs and our city needs and what our city manager is recommending. I just think that we need to leave them alone and let them do their job. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Can I just add that Mr. attorney said to
us at one of those meetings that we don't even have a finance director right now that can bring forward all of this information. So, she I took the audited financial statements and did us all a favor and pulled all the pieces and parts that are used to operate the
finance uh for the fire department to create this. So, I'm kind of confused because uh Mr. attorney. I think you had I think you had mentioned it. I think it was to one of the members of the public actually that had come up and asked
something and you said uh perhaps we could even do it ourselves but we didn't have the people. That was the question was could we do it oursel that is true and no we obviously don't have a staff in place that could do it and I noted that on top of not having the type of consultant staff in house we don't even
have a finance director at this time and I do I do still stand by those statements in terms of what this council wants to do you can send the consultant whatever information you do or do not want um that's up to this council >> question mayor on that topic real quick
>> who's the acting finance director at the moment. >> And where do you get your information from? >> Daniel, >> thank you. >> Okay, go ahead. >> So, I'm confused. Why Why is am I hearing such resistance on I'm not
asking for uh making how much the city's going to grow or the population or the households or anything like that. What I'm what I put together was something that we had a minimum because I want to see, you know,
I'll have an expectation in my head to say, okay, well, this is how much money we're going to have to raise. And I can see by looking at this, the whole pro the whole thing for this was to see what my shortfall was because we're going to have a fire assessment, but we're going to have to if we're going to fund this
into the future, we got to figure out how much shortfall we have and where it's going to come from. and we're struggling right now because we don't really know what our resources are going to be available. So, I guess I'm kind of I thought I was doing something good. I didn't I I I didn't bring this forward to be
argumentative or or try to step on toes or do the job myself. I'm just trying to provide the financial status of what it actually costs to run and and realistically just based on what I could do, what five years out's going
to look like with getting a fire station. I mean, a fire engine in year 2028, uh, $425,000 in renovations based on the hard work of getting that building, and 3% projected pay increases for employees, uh,
constant for how many other years I went out to 2031. So, I I just I don't get it. I don't I don't understand what the problem is. You're acting like I did something horrible. >> Oh, no. Listen, we what's happened in the past and what in bookkeeping or
accounting, but there's been many things that council members have come up said, I'll volunteer to do this. And legal with all without exception would say, no, you know, in other words, it's it's like we used to have somebody, well, why don't you let me bush hog this so and
so. No, you can't. You know, this is >> to me that's not the same. I didn't do that. We it you you guys were going to go out and contract this out for $1.9 million to a third party. So, we know at a minimum it's going to be 1.9. If you
look at uh what I did, all I'm doing is showing you the shortfall. This is what it realistically is going to where where we're at and what we're going to have to figure out how to fund it because that's what we decided to do. >> Your persuasion is welcome at this DAS.
>> I don't feel it. But but for you to um sort of mingle or intertwine with the uh the people we're hiring, >> I didn't I didn't intertwine with anyone. I got >> I want to use this as a base.
>> It's from the financial statements that Kobe just said he would pull down from the Tyler system. These are actual numbers from our own general ledger. >> It just doesn't look good. Well, we need to know our role and just
stay in our role. We are a legislative body. Period. Let them handle the day-to-day. Let them handle the executive side of this government. That's why I'm saying it. >> Mayor, I I I do appreciate you you doing
this. I mean, it it takes takes a lot of energy. My question is, you know, if if they're going to do uh the actuals, um Kobe, would would they pull up be very similar to what we have here? Would
you I mean, I don't know if you've had a chance to look at this just I mean, >> we've already um compiled a bunch of the data they requested. >> Yeah. >> In terms of stuff from the fire from the fire chief on operating training, you know, you name it. um uh budgets,
minutes, agendas. But yeah, if they're going to pull this data for actuals, they do the same thing. Councilman didn't pull our actual financial audits. >> Okay. So, they'll come up with something similar to what we have here. And if >> I hope they come up with the same exact thing if you pick it right out of our fin audit financials.
>> There you go. Okay. >> Remember, I had to I had to get several pieces and parts from finance because fuels and fleet maintenance. So I had to pull that over with, you know, and go through all of those that >> firet truck two used this much and, you know,
>> truck number one used this much and so I did have to pull stuff. It's not, you can't just run a general ledger from fire and get it because you're posting things all over the place. >> Okay. >> Several several meetings ago, I remember when we were trying to decide, do we
want to give our fire department to the county or keep it? And uh so we took a vote here to gather information and I remember one of our council members right here saying what does information hurt? Information
is good especially if it's going to try and lead us to where we need to go. So my takeaway from this is she's gathered information to contribute to the people who's going to make the ultimate decision. And considering her
background in finance, um to use our own words, what is the information going to hurt? And the next thing is I was led to believe that the people who's going to come in here and determine our fire assessment are going to talk to each and
every one of us and that they're going to talk to the fire chief. And when you're trying to make an important decision, you need information and that's all she's offering. She information. So I don't see that
information hurts. That's just my opinion. >> I know that she can't give the information she but she's wanting the council to >> uh sustain or you know basically say this is what we want you to base on your learning. >> That's not what you're doing. >> That is not what I asked for. I just
said this should be a floor. They should give us a range of five or six different options. >> But I'm saying it can't it shouldn't be any lower than this. >> You're not dictating to them what you want. You're just >> Why can't you just share it with them whenever they want to? Well, you got to have the other four
involved in it. >> What's the harm in having the other four? >> I'm It looks bad. >> It looks bad. >> If If for some reason this was a least bit slanted, >> Mr. Mayor, you just brought property for sale that just didn't even go out. They
were just like solicitations. What are you talking about? >> I'm just talking about You're wanting the council council didn't agree with me on anything, but you're wanting the whole council to agree with you on the I brought it forward. There's a motion in a second. If nobody, you know, if it fails, it fails. I'm just trying to help
the city. >> Yeah. All right. >> All right. Well, if that's what everybody feels, then so be it. All right. So, any other comments from anyone? >> Okay. Randy Lightner. I I just want to say all
this back and forth. I don't think that Councilwoman Heavlin did this because it's just a fun weekend for her. I don't know why she did it, but I do know that when we have council members sitting up here trying to scare the
public into thinking a fire department's going to cost $10 million a year, there's probably a very, very good reason to have actual numbers that people can see to silence this fear-mongering nonsense. And that's probably why you didn't want to see it.
>> Thank you very much. Uh, all right. Any other comments from the dis? All in favor say I. >> No. >> No. >> I. >> I'm a nay because I think the company's going to do from that. >> All right. All right. Nays. Carrie. All
right. Uh Kobe, any comments? >> Just a couple. Mayor, I'll be will be brief. Uh council, uh tomorrow for the public's input, our voting for the city slogan ends tomorrow. So hopefully people will do that. I think we've got a little over 400 responses so far. So,
that's good. And we'll be back with that information when that's done. Um, reminder, budget workshop on Thursday at 4:00 here. Um, so we will be ready for that. Uh, runway bids close tomorrow at
4 o' at 1:00. Um, so we will we will know the results of that and hopefully by your next meeting, so the second meeting in March, um, we will have something to y'all to review, hopefully award so we can keep that moving forward. Uh lastly, um I talked to a few of you so far today about this. Um CRA
meeting, um I know a couple council members are out next week, so that's not an option. Um but the 25th of March is is the typically regularly scheduled board meeting of the CRA. Is uh is the council comfortable with that being the first meeting on the 25th of March?
>> Yes. >> I have to check my schedule. I don't know. >> Okay. We'll just I mean right now we'll shoot for five o'clock. Um, and then Councilman He'll get back with me. We'll go from there. Councilman Co, I believe is >> and I will be out for Thursday. >> Okay. All right. Uh, mayor, well, the
mayor's not on the board, but you're welcome to attend, mayor. >> Um, so, okay, that'll be fine. >> That'll be fine. That's it, mayor. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. We'll go to the council comments. Uh, Mr. Beerbomb. >> Go ahead, sir. >> Conor, >> uh, the only thing I got, mayor, is the
Fourth of July is coming up soon. I would ask staff to assist Miss um commander and and her the DBPA as much as possible and what they're putting together and um and see what we can do to help them. Thank you. >> Thank you, Amy.
>> I want to tell Sumi happy birthday tomorrow. Thank you for everything you're doing. >> All right, we man. And happy anniversary to you. uh today. >> Absolutely. >> And it's my wife's birthday today.
>> Kobe, did you mention a city clerk hire? >> No, I did not. >> Well, he did get a city clerk hired. So, that's good news for starts 16th. So, >> yeah, >> good news for Sumi, too. >> Yeah, selfability started.
This was uh not necessarily something I wanted to put on the agenda because it doesn't require a vote, but I did have a citizen send me a letter that uh had some concerns and I would like to voice those and um it's uh
maybe three or four questions right here. There's two paragraphs I'd like to read. Uh it's involving the airport. Um the RFP was extended from March 3rd to March 10th. Uh the question was why
and this action was taken on February 24th, one week before closing on the 3. The only way anyone would have been able to uh see this is if they would have opened the addendum 2 located on the website. If you read the first document
on the RFQ page six, you would think it would was closing on March the 3. Uh, so that's the end of the first paragraph and would you like to expound on that? >> Sure. Um, the >> this is not an ambush because I Kobe and I went over this before I'm bringing it
to the public right now. So >> the uh the bid was extended from March 3rd to tomorrow the 10th at the request of Garver uh based on still working through some uh uncertainties on the Huckaba road side of it. Um and so they felt that that would be the best for the city to do getting some more information
together. They also um pulled out of the base bid um puck of a road and also put in alternative for gene for gene hurly realignment. So ultimately that's something you all are going to have to look at and consider when we bring that back. We did that to be as flexible as possible on the project uh and take
consideration that terms of the deadline and addendums those all came from Garver. They all complied with our front-end bid documents and the city's procurement policy. Uh, I will also note, and I think he's probably gonna mention in a minute, there was a mandatory pre-bid for this project. Meaning you had a contractor had to
attend that pre-bid meeting if they wanted to bid on this project. They knew that it was in the front-end bid documents. So, every addendum has been released has been shared with those uh prospective biders. Um, again, if I went and looked at it and thought I could for somehow do this project, I would not be able to if I did not attend the pre-bid
meeting. >> Okay. So that kind of leads into the second and last paragraph. Uh was there was a mandatory pre-bid conference on February the 9th, 2026. Did all the current biders attend this mandatory
meeting back in February. >> Bids have not come in yet. They come tomorrow. But to be considered for that, that will be a requirement unless for some reason we can find some extraordinary reason to not consider that requirement. But it will be a requirement for you to consider >> any legal fairness repercussions
associated with the extension uh being buried in an addendum weeks after the bid opened and only one week before the closing. That was a question. >> I Mr. answer legality to it, but that's how we always do extensions. Every bid
document you see any changes to that procurement and or questions received be answered are issued through an agenda. That's for everything I've ever done for the city. I similarly believe that's consistent with two CFR part 200 and FAA advisory circular 150510-14
because we ran all this through the FAA before we went out through them. So and I would further note Mr. Townson's already said the part that matters the most in my opinion from a legal standpoint that is that if you did not attend the pre-bid
you could not bid on this project. So the extension of the bid time would not affect anyone who didn't show up at that meeting. >> And the last sentence is this extension should have been posted loud and clear, not buried in an addendum one week before the closing. respectfully. That's
a conclusory statement that I disagree is inconsistent with our purchasing policy and the governing FAA documents and given the amount of time city staff went back and forth with FAA to get the number of procurements we've done in order, I'm going to rely on the FAA's
guidance at this point in time. >> That's all I've got. >> All right. Thank you very much. We'll call this meeting a journ.